| Spence Olchin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vital statistics | |
| Occupation/ Career: |
Babysitter |
| Family and Personal | |
| Spouse(s): | Danny Heffernan (2005-unknown) |
| Related to: | Veronica Olchin (mother) |
| Character information | |
| Appeared on: | The King of Queens |
| Episodes appeared in: | All 207 in series, Seasons 1-9 |
| Character played by: | Patton Oswalt |
Spence Olchin was Doug's only friend in kindergarten, and originally worked in a subway, as a token taker before the advent of MetroCards in the early 2000s. He originally lived with his mom, Veronica, but would eventually move in with Danny Heffernan in Season 7. Spence is portrayed by Patton Oswalt (of Ratatouille fame).
Personality[]
Spence is kind, caring, and responsible, often acting as the voice of reason within his group of friends. He babysits for the Palmers and is well liked by Kirby and Major Palmer. Spence is close friends with Doug, Carrie, Danny, and Deacon. He is also quite friendly with Kelly Palmer and Arthur Spooner.
Despite his good nature, he is capable of acts of ruthlessness, making a move to remove Arthur from their imaginary enterprise and trying to sabotage Doug and Carrie's marriage for his own personal gain. In both instances however, he immediately shows regret afterwards.
About Spence[]
Spence was based largely on the actor who played him, Patton Oswalt. He tends to be portrayed as weak with fragile health (e.g. an allergy to peanuts and asthma) and takes an interest in anime, manga, and gaming—interests that his friends do not share. He is of Albanian heritage, and works as a subway token collector for the majority of the show. He moved to the New York area from rural West Virginia.
Spence initially lives with his mother, something his friends ridicule him for extensively. In the Season 2 episode "Roamin' Holiday" he moves out of his mother's home, and stays with Doug and Carrie temporarily. During Season 4, in the episode "Oxy Moron" he moves in with Danny. Spence originally took a disliking to Danny, viewing him as a threat to his own position within the group. After they move in together, much humour is derived from their behaving like a couple, and they are mistaken by others as being gay on several occasions. The two marry in the Season 7 episode "Slippery Slope" with the intention of qualifying for an offer of a free plasma TV.
Spence's relationship with Arthur grows close during the course of the show, and he often participates in Arthur's schemes, although usually unwillingly or at least hesitantly. Subtle references are made to the peculiar nature of their friendship, with Spence's girlfriend Denise, referring to Arthur as his "weird older male friend" in the Season 5 episode "Dog Shelter".
Denise Battaglia is the only longterm romantic relationship Spence is shown as having during the course of the show. The reason for their breakup was never shown on-screen, however Spence, Doug, Deacon and Danny drive to Memphis in the Season 6 episode "Alter Ego" in an unsuccessful attempt to breakup Denise's wedding.
Spence has a dog, a pug named Allan, which was used to introduce the character Holly Shumpert to the show; Spence and Danny compete for Holly's affections on-and-off. Spence can be socially inept, especially in matters involving the opposite sex; on one occasion he falls for someone having only seen them while completely covered by an ice cream costume and never heard them speak; on a separate occasion he is mistaken by a lesbian as a lesbian, but still pursues her. On several occasions, Spence shows an interest in romancing with Carrie; first during the Season 8 episode "Gambling N' Diction" and then in the series' penultimate episode, "Single Spaced" in Season 9 when helping her deceive Doug about her apartment in Manhattan. Misinterpreting her gratitude, he moves out of his and Danny's apartment, believing that he will soon be moving in with Carrie winding up homeless.
Ailments[]
- Asthma
- Potemkin-Reese Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Peanut Allergy