‘Happy Gilmore’ director Adam Sandler pays tribute – The Hollywood Reporter

Carl Weathers and Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore”

Courtesy of the Everett Collection

Carl Weathers, who died on Thursday at the age of 76, made his name as the formidable Apollo Creed boxing opponent of the world. rocky films. But that was the focus of his career with the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore Which made it newly relevant to the younger generation. As it turns out, his path to beloved comedy was an unlikely one.

Dennis Duggan – who directed Happy Gilmorein addition to other comedies such as Problem child, Big daddy And the grown ups Movies – tells Hollywood Reporter That Withers “literally couldn’t be a nicer guy, and he was so young. No one else could be Chubs but him.” The film focuses on Sandler’s character, who can’t break through as a hockey player but becomes an amazing golfer, thanks to his brutal drive and the help of his mentor. Derek “Chubbs” Peterson.

Duggan recalls wanting to cast Christopher McDonald as the memorable villain, Shooter McGavin, and when he approached McDonald’s agent, the actor suggested another agent for a different role. Duggan recalls being confused by the suggestion that Withers would play former golfer Chubbs, given that the actor was previously an NFL player and is known for more masculine roles.

“He said, ‘I have another client, Carl Weathers, who would like to read for this,’” the director shares. “And I said, ‘Isn’t he a footballer?’ And he said, ‘Yes, but he really wants to read to her.'” “And I understood that the subtext was: ‘Read Karl, and I can get you Chris McDonald,'” Duggan says with a chuckle.

The director recalls relaying the situation to a bewildered Sandler. Adam says: Man, I don’t know. “I never imagined it,” Dugan says. Fortunately, everyone agreed to give Withers a try, and the rest is history: “He came in — a charming, wonderful, kind, gentle man — and killed it, and got the part right there.”

Duggan got an extra sense of Weathers’ unassuming nature when the actor showed up on the first day and, due to apparent confusion from a crew member who didn’t recognize him, was sent to the waiting area for extras. “He was sitting having breakfast with the actors in the background,” Dugan says with a laugh. “And it wasn’t like, ‘Do you know who I am?’ But that’s who he is. This guy was really sweet, kind and wonderful.

Weathers’ other notable credits included films such as predator And a voice role as Combat Carl in toy story franchise, as well as television segments Arrested development And The Mandalorian.

Sandler took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to fondly remember his former star: “A true great man. Great father. Wonderful actor. Great athlete. Always so much fun to be around. Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. He loved his children more than anything else. What a man!!”

Additionally, the Directors Guild of America shared a statement honoring Weathers. The letter reads: “The world may have seen Carl as an iconic actor, but here at DGA we know him as an accomplished television director on series such as The Mandalorian, Chicago Med And Law and orderBut more importantly to us, as an exceptionally dedicated leader of the union over the past 20 years, he always strives to improve the lives of his fellow members. “