Before appearing in “Happy Gilmore,” Adam Sandler had already established himself as a major player in the world of comedy. He was a regular cast member on “Saturday Night Live” between 1990 and 1995 and then went on to co-write and star in “Billy Madison.” The movie proved successful enough, earning more than $25 million, that the actor was given further opportunities in Hollywood. His next project was “Happy Gilmore,” the second movie he produced with writing partner Tim Herlihy and his first partnership with frequent collaborator Dennis Dugan.
While “Happy Gilmore” wasn’t a blockbuster hit, it was commercially successful and praised enough by critics to ensure Sandler’s Hollywood career would continue. He kept making comedies throughout the 1990s, including films such as “The Waterboy” and “The Wedding Singer.”
While many of his more recent comedies have been heavily trashed by critics, Sandler occasionally manages to give highly lauded dramatic performances in films like “Uncut Gems,” “Punch Drunk Love,” and “The Meyerowitz Stories.” Sandler has spent the last several years focused primarily on making Netflix original movies, including the likes of “The Ridiculous 6,” “Sandy Wexler,” “Hubie Halloween,” “Hustle,” and two “Murder Mystery” movies with Jennifer Aniston. With “Leo,” an animated family movie, and an as-yet-untitled reteam with the Safdie Brothers in the works, Sandler has plenty of new projects on the horizon.