Buzz
Despite appearing as though he hasn’t matured, Happy Gilmore celebrates its 20th anniversary this week. Originally hitting theaters on February 16, 1996, the Adam Sandler film—centered on a hockey player who becomes a fiercely competitive golfer—faced harsh criticism from reviewers. Roger Ebert notably remarked, "Happy Gilmore portrays the tale of a violent sociopath." Yet, it resonated deeply with audiences. Here are some intriguing tidbits to discuss during your next golf session.
1. The character of Happy Gilmore was inspired by a real person.
Happy’s character was loosely modeled after Kyle McDonough, a childhood friend of Sandler’s. Growing up together in Manchester, New Hampshire, they occasionally played golf, but Sandler could never match McDonough’s powerful drives, which he credited to McDonough’s hockey experience. McDonough later played in the East Coast Hockey League, the British Hockey League, and a Norwegian league. He and Sandler remain close friends to this day.
2. A deleted scene featured Julie Bowen kissing a dwarf.
In Happy’s dream sequence, Julie Bowen, known for Modern Family, appeared in lingerie, carrying beer pitchers and flirting with Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald). Bowen later disclosed on Access Hollywood that they shot an alternate version where she kissed a dwarf dressed as a cowboy.
3. Two professional golfers made cameo appearances.
Mark Lye converses with Happy at a cocktail party, while Lee Trevino repeatedly shakes his head in disapproval. Despite his mostly silent role, Trevino later expressed regret about participating in the film. “Had I known they’d include so much profanity, I wouldn’t have agreed to it,” he remarked.
4. Bob Barker performed his own stunts.
Bob Barker clearly had no issues with the film’s language, delivering one of its most iconic (and profane) lines. The The Price is Right host hesitated to join the project until he learned he would emerge victorious in the fight. When director Dennis Dugan mentioned using a stunt double for the famous brawl, Barker insisted on performing his own stunts, stating, “Hold on, I know how to fight.” And so, history was made:
5. The fight scene earned an MTV Movie Award.
Both Sandler and Barker attended the ceremony to accept the award. “I want to thank Bob for being 72 and still letting me hit him in the face,” Sandler joked.
6. Christopher McDonald initially turned down the movie—twice.
While it’s difficult to picture anyone else as Shooter McGavin, McDonald nearly rejected the role. He prioritized family time and doubted that “the guy who did ‘Opera Man’ would deliver.” However, after an exhilarating round of golf, he felt inspired to call his agent and check if the “golf movie” was still up for grabs.
7. The script was co-written by Sandler’s college roommate.
Tim Herlihy, the writer, first met Adam Sandler when they were roommates at NYU in 1984. Although Herlihy pursued law school, he joined Sandler as a writer after Sandler secured a role on SNL. Together, they penned Billy Madison and later Happy Gilmore. While they no longer recall who contributed which jokes, Herlihy claims ownership of one particularly iconic line:
8. Adam Sandler received a Razzie nomination for the film.
Despite being a box office success, grossing $41.2 million against a $12 million budget, the film wasn’t universally praised. Sandler was nominated for the 1996 Worst Actor Razzie Award, a distinction he also earned for his role in Bulletproof. However, he lost to Tom Arnold and Pauly Shore.
9. Professional golfers adore Happy Gilmore.
While critics may not have embraced Happy Gilmore, professional athletes certainly have. German golfer Martin Kaymer even attempted Happy’s signature swing during the long drive competition at last year’s PGA Championships.
In September, Sporting Kansas City’s soccer star Matt Besler shared a remark with a Portland reporter after a tied match that echoed a familiar sentiment. “It was a tough draw. Honestly, the real winner today is Portland. Every visit makes it harder to leave. You must be putting something in the water.”
10. A sequel is unlikely.
When Screen Rant asked Sandler last year about revisiting characters like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, he was somewhat evasive but concluded with, “I doubt it, though.”
