Harper Spade Is David Spade’s Rarely Seen Daughter Who Wasn’t Planned

Harper Spade is the daughter of actor and comedian David Spade, best known for his role in sitcoms like “Rules of Engagement” and a Playboy Playmate.

David Spade’s daughter is Harper Spade, who came unexpectedly into the actor and stand-up comedian’s life. Fans of the “Just Shoot Me!” and “Rules of Engagement” alum have been watching Harper Spade grow up on social media.

Harper Spade went from an adorable toddler to a lovely young lady under her father’s watchful eye. Here is all we know about Harper Spade’s relationship with her parents.

David Spade, mom Judith M. Spade and daughter Harper Spade at the world premiere of “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” in 2018, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images

David Spade was born in Birmingham, Michigan, on July 22, 1964. He dropped out of college to devote himself to his career as a stand-up comedian, and in 1990 he started writing for “Saturday Night Live,” working with Chris Farley and Chris Rock.

Little Harper soon had her dad wrapped around her chubby finger, as he revealed on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2008.

The comedian’s career expanded into film with “Police Academy,” “The Do-Over,” with Adam Sandler, and “The Wrong Missy.” In addition to his comedic talent, he became famous as a confirmed bachelor who dated many of Hollywood’s most beautiful women. He stunned fans by welcoming a daughter, Harper, on August 26, 2008

Her Parents Did Not Plan Harper’s Birth

David Spade’s fans were stunned when he welcomed a daughter, Harper, on August 26, 2008. The actor announced that he had been in a short relationship resulting in a pregnancy. David revealed:

“I have a daughter now, and she came out of a situation with a girl I was dating, and it was not planned.”

Harper’s birth and becoming a dad led David to stop talking to his father, who had walked out on him and his two brothers when they were children. As a dad, the actor could not imagine turning his back on his child, and it made him reevaluate his father as a person — as someone who didn’t deserve his love and respect.

Little Harper soon had her dad wrapped around her chubby finger, as he revealed on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2008. The actor proudly told DeGeneres that he was handling his new status as a dad well and that Harper was starting to recognize him. He said:

“She’s starting to kind of know… not really who I am yet, but she’s getting it.”

The actor revealed that he frequently traveled to Missouri, where Harper was living with her mother, so she would grow up knowing him and knowing she could count on him.

Harper’s Father Documents Moments of Her Life

Since her birth, the actor has dedicated much of his life to documenting Harper’s life, almost from Day One, and sharing the snaps on his social media. Harper spends a lot of time with her dad, so the actor has plenty of opportunities to photograph his only child.

In March 2021, the actor shared a rare photo of Harper with his mother, Judith Meek Spade, on Instagram. On another occasion, Harper accompanied her dad to a bar mitzvah. On an Easter Egg hunt, he also posted an adorable photo of Harper in a glittery fuchsia dress. He captioned it:

“Harpers Arizona egg hunt. She kept hearing, ‘check the Ocotillo.. have you dug your hand in the barrel cactus? There’s one more in the pyracantha tree..’”

David Spade, Jillian Grace and their daughter Harper, at the Mad Tea Party at Disneyland in 2011, in Anaheim, California. | Source: Getty Images

Harper’s Parents Had a Short Relationship

Harper’s mother is model and actress Jillian Grace. Grace was Playboy Playmate of the Month for the March 2005 issue and went on to have a Hollywood career that included minor roles in movies like “Epic Movie,” “The Comebacks,” “The House Bunny,” and “The Agonist.”

The Playmate and the actor dated briefly, and their romance gave them Harper. Even though they are no longer a couple, Grace and David are loving and doting parents to Harper. After Harper’s birth, Grace moved to Missouri.