Most actors start with menial roles, often uncredited. Once they have a few jobs under their belts, they choose a path of movies or TV shows.
Sometimes both.
Adam Sandler has made a name for himself as a low-key celebrity loyal to his friends.
His unique slapstick humor appeals to a wide range of ages, making him a family-friendly actor with a dark side.
His first TV appearance was as an extra in The Cosby Show. He's also been in shows like The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait featuring Kevin James, The Chris Rock Show, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Essential Viewing: 11 Elisabeth Moss Movies & TV Shows You Must See
Since launching his movie career, Sandler has also started his own production company and has a string of actors in his movies.
You can expect to see at least one or more of the same names in any film. He often has his real-life wife,...
Sometimes both.
Adam Sandler has made a name for himself as a low-key celebrity loyal to his friends.
His unique slapstick humor appeals to a wide range of ages, making him a family-friendly actor with a dark side.
His first TV appearance was as an extra in The Cosby Show. He's also been in shows like The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait featuring Kevin James, The Chris Rock Show, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Essential Viewing: 11 Elisabeth Moss Movies & TV Shows You Must See
Since launching his movie career, Sandler has also started his own production company and has a string of actors in his movies.
You can expect to see at least one or more of the same names in any film. He often has his real-life wife,...
- 5/24/2024
- by Sara Trimble
- TVfanatic
We all know that Adam Sandler likes working with people he knows. The movies he produces with his production company Happy Madison regularly feature Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, and other cast members from his Saturday Night Live days. Many of his movies also feature supporting turns from guys you only see in Happy Madison flicks, like Alan Covert and Peter Dante. And, of course, he loves to cast Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore as his love interests.
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
There are very few actors afforded the opportunity to steer the direction of their own careers without making any compromises, and Adam Sandler is one of the names on that exclusive list. His Happy Madison Productions outfit is responsible for the overwhelming majority of his output, and as a result, the 54 year-old essentially has carte blanche to do whatever he wants.
Outside of his rare forays into more dramatic territory, Sandler’s movies generally feature his established roster of supporting players that includes the likes of Kevin James, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Chris Rock, Peter Dante and Allen Covert to name but a small few. Even the crew largely remains the same, with writer Tim Herlihy scripting twelve of the actor’s star vehicles while directors Steven Brill, Dennis Dugan and Frank Coraci are responsible for helming a combined total of eighteen Happy Madison features.
Netflix Reveals First...
Outside of his rare forays into more dramatic territory, Sandler’s movies generally feature his established roster of supporting players that includes the likes of Kevin James, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Chris Rock, Peter Dante and Allen Covert to name but a small few. Even the crew largely remains the same, with writer Tim Herlihy scripting twelve of the actor’s star vehicles while directors Steven Brill, Dennis Dugan and Frank Coraci are responsible for helming a combined total of eighteen Happy Madison features.
Netflix Reveals First...
- 10/7/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
"Waterboy" star Peter Dante -- who's been in just about every single Adam Sandler movie -- was thrown out of an L.A. hotel last week after calling a staffer a "n**ga" and a "f**got" ... and the craziest part, he admitted the whole thing on camera to TMZ. Here's what we know ... Dante (who also played the weed dealer in "Grandma's Boy") was kicked out of the J.W. Marriott in Santa Monica...
- 11/19/2013
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Filed under: Movie News
When it comes to his circle of friends, Adam Sandler is like Oprah Winfrey: You get a role in my new film! You get a role in my new film! For a lucky pal like Nick Swardson, sometimes that even means getting your very own film: Swardson stars as the titular Bucky Larson in 'Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star,' the latest comedy from Sandler's Happy Madison production company. Ahead, see if you can separate Swardson from other Sandler pals Allen Covert, Peter Dante and Jonathan Loughran in Moviefone's first (and probably only) Adam Sandler Crony Quiz.
Continue Reading...
When it comes to his circle of friends, Adam Sandler is like Oprah Winfrey: You get a role in my new film! You get a role in my new film! For a lucky pal like Nick Swardson, sometimes that even means getting your very own film: Swardson stars as the titular Bucky Larson in 'Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star,' the latest comedy from Sandler's Happy Madison production company. Ahead, see if you can separate Swardson from other Sandler pals Allen Covert, Peter Dante and Jonathan Loughran in Moviefone's first (and probably only) Adam Sandler Crony Quiz.
Continue Reading...
- 9/9/2011
- by Christopher Rosen
- Moviefone
The top 10 best Adam Sandler movies. Comedian. Actor. Musician. Singer. Writer. Producer. Swell guy (probably). The sum of all these parts makes Adam Sander who he is today; a much loved and much viewed working entertainer. He makes us laugh. He makes it look easy. There are few comedic actors when have been at the top of the box office for as long as The Sandman, so let’s appreciate this multi-talented dude.
10. 50 First Dates (2004)
50 First Dates (not to be confused with the similar-sounding 51st State starring Samuel L. Jackson) is the 2nd collaboration between the Sandman and Drew Barrymore after The Wedding Singer.
Set in Hawaii, Sandler is Henry Roth, a ladies man (!) who falls for Drew’s character Lucy Whitmore. After managing to romance her, he wakes up the next morning to find she has forgotten who he is and has no prior knowledge of the previous day’s events.
10. 50 First Dates (2004)
50 First Dates (not to be confused with the similar-sounding 51st State starring Samuel L. Jackson) is the 2nd collaboration between the Sandman and Drew Barrymore after The Wedding Singer.
Set in Hawaii, Sandler is Henry Roth, a ladies man (!) who falls for Drew’s character Lucy Whitmore. After managing to romance her, he wakes up the next morning to find she has forgotten who he is and has no prior knowledge of the previous day’s events.
- 10/2/2009
- by Mahmoud El-Azzeh
- Movie-moron.com
Dante Seeks Restraining Order
The Waterboy star Peter Dante is seeking a restraining order against a man he alleges threatened to cut off his manhood.
The actor filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court claiming an unidentified male had been harassing him over the phone and at his son's Little League baseball games.
The man allegedly accused Dante of calling his wife. The star admits he used to talk to the man's partner six months ago - but hasn't had contact with her since.
In the papers filed, Dante claims the man threatened to "cut my d**k off and shove it down my throat."
Dante has requested for a restraining order to protect himself, his two sons and his wife Cynthia, according to TMZ.com.
The actor filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court claiming an unidentified male had been harassing him over the phone and at his son's Little League baseball games.
The man allegedly accused Dante of calling his wife. The star admits he used to talk to the man's partner six months ago - but hasn't had contact with her since.
In the papers filed, Dante claims the man threatened to "cut my d**k off and shove it down my throat."
Dante has requested for a restraining order to protect himself, his two sons and his wife Cynthia, according to TMZ.com.
- 6/5/2009
- WENN
12.00 Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
When you see a really horrible and worthless movie you're hesitant to ever watch it again; but when a friend insists that you missed the humor the first time through and to give it a second chance, you humor them. I did that with Strange Wilderness. That friend will never be allowed to recommend movies to me ever again. Ever. If you thought Date Movie was funny, then have we got the movie for you! If not, just pass by Strange Wilderness and never think twice.
Let's just be clear: there will be those who will defend this movie to the death calling it a "stoner film" and claiming it immune to all criticism. Not so. If Cheech & Chong set the bar all those years ago, Strange Wilderness passes safely underneath the bar with no worries about hitting its head. Being a...
When you see a really horrible and worthless movie you're hesitant to ever watch it again; but when a friend insists that you missed the humor the first time through and to give it a second chance, you humor them. I did that with Strange Wilderness. That friend will never be allowed to recommend movies to me ever again. Ever. If you thought Date Movie was funny, then have we got the movie for you! If not, just pass by Strange Wilderness and never think twice.
Let's just be clear: there will be those who will defend this movie to the death calling it a "stoner film" and claiming it immune to all criticism. Not so. If Cheech & Chong set the bar all those years ago, Strange Wilderness passes safely underneath the bar with no worries about hitting its head. Being a...
- 4/16/2009
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Film Review: 'Little Nicky'
A sign of the times. Mainstream media outlets wouldn't dare accurately describe all of the PG-13 humor in "Little Nicky", the new Adam Sandler comedy about hell and the devil's three sons let loose on Earth. And there's not much point in writing up and printing such a lengthy list when audiences are primed for this kind of comic bombshell.
With a large, hilariously eclectic cast and eruptions of gags that will have some audiences laughing their heads off, the wide New Line release, directed by Steven Brill, has all the makings of another big hit for Sandler. While critics will be mostly unimpressed, "Nicky" won't need a lot of help accumulating piles of boxoffice scratch and post-theatrical loot. Sandler and regular writing partner Tim Herlihy have collaborated with Brill ("Late Last Night") on a relatively cohesive screenplay that imagines hell as a subterranean world that departing souls reach via a tunnel ending in a flaming portal. The film opens with a peeping Tom (Jon Lovitz) joking that he's a big horny bird on a branch and then falling to his death. When he's dumped into hell, there's a big horny bird waiting for him.
With horns and a big throne, the devil (Harvey Keitel) has been ruling hell for 10,000 years and gathers his three sons to name an heir. But when he looks over scheming Adrian (Rhys Ifans), big brute Cassius (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.) and speech-impaired goofball Nicky (Sandler), Dad changes his mind and decides to stay on the throne. Adrian and Cassius have other plans, and their departure to rule on Earth causes the gate to hell to close.
With the inflow of souls stopped, Dad starts losing body parts, and it becomes Nicky's mission to track down his brothers -- who can possess the bodies of humans as well as communicate telepathically and exert mind control -- and somehow trap them in a magic flask. Shambling like Quasimodo, talking with a slur and wheezily laughing over private jokes, with his dark hair falling messily over his face and unfamiliar with basic human functions like eating and avoiding accidents, Nicky is sent tumbling back home several times by subway trains and other fatal encounters.
But with the help of a talking dog named Beefy (voiced by Robert Smigel), two enthusiastic disciples (Peter Dante, Jonathan Loughran) and sweet city girl Valerie (Patricia Arquette), whom he meets in the park, Nicky rises to the occasion, getting in touch with his inner evil as Adrian and Cassius cause major havoc in the city by possessing public figures and transforming society for the worse with little opposition.
Jammed wall to wall with jokes, many of which work and many of which are not original, "Nicky" frequently takes off on tangents for quick laughs and has several ongoing gags, such as the falling-apart of Keitel's character until only his arms and mouth remain. There's also a winning lineup of cameo players, including Dana Carvey as a possessed basketball coach in a freaky Harlem Globetrotters game, Quentin Tarantino as a blind preacher subject to increasingly harmful accidents, Rodney Dangerfield as Nicky's granddad Lucifer, Allen Covert as the lead's roommate on Earth and Reese Witherspoon as a surprise member of the family.
Other participants include Carl Weathers, George Wallace, Kevin Nealon as the guy who becomes known as "tit head" and, as themselves, Henry Winkler, Ozzy Osbourne and Regis Philbin. Sandler manages to pull off his character rather well, while veterans Keitel and Arquette are not exactly comic geniuses but keep pace handily. With tons of inventive special effects, a commercially potent soundtrack album and top-notch production values, "Nicky" ultimately wins one over in a flurry of belly laughs to go along with the occasional frowns at some of the more offensive material.
LITTLE NICKY
New Line Cinema
A Happy Madison production
in association with RSC Media
Director: Steven Brill
Screenwriters: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler, Steven Brill
Producers: Robert Simonds, Jack Giarraputo
Executive producers: Robert Engelman, Adam Sandler, Michael De Luca, Brian Witten
Director of photography: Theo Van De Sande
Production designer: Perry Andelin Blake
Editor: Jeff Gourson
Costume designer: Ellen Lutter
Visual effects supervisor: John Sullivan
Music: Teddy Castellucci
Casting: Roger Mussenden
Color/stereo
Cast:
Nicky: Adam Sandler
Valerie: Patricia Arquette
Dad: Harvey Keitel
Adrian: Rhys Ifans
Cassius: Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.
Lucifer: Rodney Dangerfield
Todd: Allen Covert
Running time - 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
With a large, hilariously eclectic cast and eruptions of gags that will have some audiences laughing their heads off, the wide New Line release, directed by Steven Brill, has all the makings of another big hit for Sandler. While critics will be mostly unimpressed, "Nicky" won't need a lot of help accumulating piles of boxoffice scratch and post-theatrical loot. Sandler and regular writing partner Tim Herlihy have collaborated with Brill ("Late Last Night") on a relatively cohesive screenplay that imagines hell as a subterranean world that departing souls reach via a tunnel ending in a flaming portal. The film opens with a peeping Tom (Jon Lovitz) joking that he's a big horny bird on a branch and then falling to his death. When he's dumped into hell, there's a big horny bird waiting for him.
With horns and a big throne, the devil (Harvey Keitel) has been ruling hell for 10,000 years and gathers his three sons to name an heir. But when he looks over scheming Adrian (Rhys Ifans), big brute Cassius (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.) and speech-impaired goofball Nicky (Sandler), Dad changes his mind and decides to stay on the throne. Adrian and Cassius have other plans, and their departure to rule on Earth causes the gate to hell to close.
With the inflow of souls stopped, Dad starts losing body parts, and it becomes Nicky's mission to track down his brothers -- who can possess the bodies of humans as well as communicate telepathically and exert mind control -- and somehow trap them in a magic flask. Shambling like Quasimodo, talking with a slur and wheezily laughing over private jokes, with his dark hair falling messily over his face and unfamiliar with basic human functions like eating and avoiding accidents, Nicky is sent tumbling back home several times by subway trains and other fatal encounters.
But with the help of a talking dog named Beefy (voiced by Robert Smigel), two enthusiastic disciples (Peter Dante, Jonathan Loughran) and sweet city girl Valerie (Patricia Arquette), whom he meets in the park, Nicky rises to the occasion, getting in touch with his inner evil as Adrian and Cassius cause major havoc in the city by possessing public figures and transforming society for the worse with little opposition.
Jammed wall to wall with jokes, many of which work and many of which are not original, "Nicky" frequently takes off on tangents for quick laughs and has several ongoing gags, such as the falling-apart of Keitel's character until only his arms and mouth remain. There's also a winning lineup of cameo players, including Dana Carvey as a possessed basketball coach in a freaky Harlem Globetrotters game, Quentin Tarantino as a blind preacher subject to increasingly harmful accidents, Rodney Dangerfield as Nicky's granddad Lucifer, Allen Covert as the lead's roommate on Earth and Reese Witherspoon as a surprise member of the family.
Other participants include Carl Weathers, George Wallace, Kevin Nealon as the guy who becomes known as "tit head" and, as themselves, Henry Winkler, Ozzy Osbourne and Regis Philbin. Sandler manages to pull off his character rather well, while veterans Keitel and Arquette are not exactly comic geniuses but keep pace handily. With tons of inventive special effects, a commercially potent soundtrack album and top-notch production values, "Nicky" ultimately wins one over in a flurry of belly laughs to go along with the occasional frowns at some of the more offensive material.
LITTLE NICKY
New Line Cinema
A Happy Madison production
in association with RSC Media
Director: Steven Brill
Screenwriters: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler, Steven Brill
Producers: Robert Simonds, Jack Giarraputo
Executive producers: Robert Engelman, Adam Sandler, Michael De Luca, Brian Witten
Director of photography: Theo Van De Sande
Production designer: Perry Andelin Blake
Editor: Jeff Gourson
Costume designer: Ellen Lutter
Visual effects supervisor: John Sullivan
Music: Teddy Castellucci
Casting: Roger Mussenden
Color/stereo
Cast:
Nicky: Adam Sandler
Valerie: Patricia Arquette
Dad: Harvey Keitel
Adrian: Rhys Ifans
Cassius: Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.
Lucifer: Rodney Dangerfield
Todd: Allen Covert
Running time - 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 11/6/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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