Jon Lovitz Says He and David Spade Weren’t Ready to Be Friends Until Recently (Exclusive)

Although Jon Lovitz and David Spade have known each other for decades, it was only recently that the two comedians became close friends.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary: Saturday Night Live During a panel celebrating improv theater The Groundlings on June 28, Lovitz, 66, spoke to PEOPLE about his time on the NBC sketch comedy show from 1985 to 1990.

“I’ve had Saturday Night Live “In 1985 and then 1986, they kept Nora Dunn, Dennis Miller and myself,” he explained. “That’s when Dana (Carvey) came in, and Phil Hartman, Kevin Nealon, Janet Hooks and Victoria Jackson. So I was on the show with Dana for four years and we became like brothers. He’s one of my best friends.”

Lovitz also considered Hartman his “best friend.” So when Hartman was tragically murdered in 1998 at the age of 49, the comedian was devastated. Spade, 59, was also saddened by the unexpected death of his close friend Chris Farley, who died in 1998 at the age of 33 from an accidental drug overdose.

“I said (to David), ‘Well, maybe we could be friends, because we both miss our other half… our best friends,'” Lovitz recalled. “(David) said, ‘Yeah.’ But I think it was hard for me, it took a while, and then one day I was playing golf – and we were playing golf – and I was like, I don’t know what happened. I just knew in his mind, ‘OK.'”

Elsewhere in the interview with PEOPLE, the comedian discussed some sage career advice he received from the late Charles Grodin about his performance on SNL. Grodin, who died in May 2021 at age 86, hosted an episode of the popular sketch comedy show in 1977.

“He says, ‘You can’t be shy on the show because you have to really engage with the characters,'” Lovitz explained, adding, “(Lorne Michaels) says, ‘When you’re out there, take charge.'”

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“It creates a certain mentality. I knew what he meant, because otherwise, you’re waiting. You’re looking for someone to say, okay,[take]charge,” Lovitz continued. “He’s like, ‘No, when you’re on the show, you’re in charge. Take charge of the sketch. Take charge of the character.’ You know what I mean? It’s a certain mentality that’s very helpful.”

Friday SNL The reunion panel is one of several events that will bring together comedy giants and Groundlings alumni to commemorate the improv theater’s 50th anniversary.