Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler
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Name:
Adam Sandler
Who is:
, , ,
Birth date:
(58 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New York
Height:
5'10 ft ()
Weight:
190 lb (86 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Adam Sandler

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Adam Sandler Biography

Adam Richard Sandler is the beloved American actor-comedian, screenwriter, film producer and musician. He's best known for hit comedies like "Happy Gilmore," "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," "Mr. Deeds," "50 First Dates," and "Just Go with It." Net worth: $420 million.

Childhood and education

Adam Sandler was born on September 9, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, into a prosperous Jewish family. His parents were Stanley Sandler (1935–2003), an electrical engineer, and Judith Sandler (née Levine), a nursery school teacher—both descendants of Russian immigrants. Adam was the youngest of four children, with a brother Scott and sisters Elizabeth and Valerie.
Adam Sandler in his childhood and nowadays
Adam Sandler in his childhood and nowadays
The boy had a close relationship with his father and later remembered him with deep appreciation. Stanley never lectured his son, but he was always a role model for Adam. Dad taught him that family is the most important thing, and if someone in your family needs help, you must help them at all costs.

When Adam was six, the Sandlers moved from Brooklyn to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he grew up. He attended Manchester Central High School, where he quickly became known as the class clown. The first person to see the young comedian's potential was his older brother, who talked Adam into trying stand-up at one of Boston's clubs.
The Adam Sandler's school photos
The Adam Sandler's school photos
The experiment was a success, and the young man became obsessed with breaking into show business professionally. To pursue this dream, he graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, famous for alumni like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Steve Buscemi, Uma Thurman, Matt Dillon, Lady Gaga, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Angelina Jolie and even Marilyn Monroe.
Adam Sandler started his path to glory as a standup comedian
Adam Sandler started his path to glory as a standup comedian

Television projects

According to Zoomboola.com, Adam Sandler's first screen appearance was in 1980 on an episode of the hit sitcom "The Cosby Show." In the late 1980s, he appeared on MTV's game show "Remote Control."
A young Adam Sandler in « The Cosby Show»
A young Adam Sandler in « The Cosby Show»
After graduating from Tisch School of the Arts, the young performer did comedy shows at Los Angeles clubs to make a living. In 1990, he was discovered by comedian Dennis Miller, who introduced him to the producers of "Saturday Night Live." This landed Adam a full-time TV job—first as a writer, then as a cast member the following year.
The first Adam Sandler's performances
He frequently performed sketch comedy and songs, including his own compositions "The Thanksgiving Song" and "The Chanukah Song." Regular TV appearances through mid-1995 established the young comedian's reputation.

Movie career

Adam Sandler made his film debut in 1989 with the comedy «Going Overboard», where he starred as a young stand-up comedian, essentially playing himself. The film had a modest budget by Hollywood standards of $200,000 and bombed with audiences while critics savaged the acting, calling it «incompetent».
A scene from the «Going Overboard»
A scene from the «Going Overboard»
No wonder Adam stepped away from movies for a while and focused on TV, but fate eventually brought him back to the big screen: in 1993, the film «Coneheads» was released, based on sketches from «Saturday Night Live» and featuring the same cast. He played a supporting role while Dan Aykroyd starred as the main character. Critics gave it poor ratings, noting «The actors couldn't overcome a total lack of inspiration in the screenplay», but many audiences found the film funny and entertaining.
Adam Sandler before he became famous
Adam Sandler before he became famous
Adam Sandler's next film came out in 1994 – the musical comedy «Airheads» about hapless rock musicians, where he played one of the leading roles alongside Brendan Fraser and Steve Buscemi. Critics tore the actor's performance apart again, and the film lost money at the box office. Nevertheless, the film gained devoted fans and eventually achieved cult status.
«Coneheads»: acene with Adam Sandler
Then, after a bit part in «Mixed Nuts» (1994) with comedian Steve Martin, Adam tackled the project that would become a turning point in his career – the comedy «Billy Madison» (1995). This time, drawing on his experience as a TV writer, Adam wrote the screenplay himself and starred in the lead role.
Adam Sandler in the film «Billy Madison»
Adam Sandler in the film «Billy Madison»
The story, full of gentle humor and surprisingly touching, follows a rich slacker who must accomplish the herculean task of going back to school to inherit the family company – and audiences responded positively. And critics were less strict this time, describing its nontrivial style: «"Billy Madison" is a typical immature work by Adam Sandler, although there is the inspiration of madness».
Adam Sandler's characters irritate you – this is his acting style
Adam Sandler's characters irritate you – this is his acting style
This film marked the beginning of critics recognizing Sandler's signature style: «Once you accept that Sandler's comic character is deliberately designed to irritate you, you can't help but laugh», journalists observed. The actor earned an MTV Movie Award nomination for «best comic performance».

Building on the success of «Billy Madison», Adam Sandler himself wrote the screenplay for his next film. It was a sports comedy «Happy Gilmore» (1996), with Ben Stiller cast in one of the supporting roles. This time even the strictest critics were impressed:
Those who like Adam Sandler's style will discover many strengths that make you love this happy-go-lucky film about professional golf, and those who dislike his style will just have fun.
The film earned Sandler one of the most prestigious awards of his career – MTV Movie Award for the best fight, and he was nominated on MTV Movie Awards for the best comic role and on Kid's Choice Awards for the best film. The film earned $41 million during its theatrical run, exceeding the filmmakers' expectations.
«Happy Gilmore». Best scenes
«The Wedding Singer»: Adam Sandler starring as, Robbie Hart
«The Wedding Singer»: Adam Sandler starring as, Robbie Hart
Sandler's next film, «The Waterboy» (1998), was even more profitable – $186 million. This time Adam sought to make the film more personal: he not only wrote the screenplay and starred in the film but also produced it for the first time. Kathy Bates, a bright and distinctive actress, played the main character's mother.
A scene from the «The Waterboy»
A scene from the «The Waterboy»
However, surprisingly, critics didn't like the film – they criticized it for «low-quality humor and jokes» and pointed out: «Sandler makes a tactical error: first he creates the character with a weird voice and mannerisms, then for some reason expects viewers to watch the film to the end.» One journalist summed up the audience's perception: «Of course the film is stupid but you'll laugh every 10 minutes.»
A photo from the filming of «The Waterboy»
A photo from the filming of «The Waterboy»
Nevertheless, Sandler's films became increasingly popular with each release, and his next comedy «Big Daddy» (1999) became a real hit, earning $235 million. This time the harsh, crude humor was softened by kind and lyrical undertones in the plot about an adult slacker who has to take care of someone else's baby.
Along with Adam Sandler the twins Sprouse took part in the «Big Daddy»
Along with Adam Sandler the twins Sprouse took part in the «Big Daddy»
Adam Sandler's signature smile («Big Daddy», 1999)
Adam Sandler's signature smile («Big Daddy», 1999)
After completing this project in 1999, Adam Sandler founded his own production company «Happy Madison Productions», naming it «for good luck» by combining the titles of his first successful films: «Happy Gilmore» and «Billy Madison».

From that point on, «Happy Madison» with Adam's personal involvement produced almost all the films he starred in, and released other films and TV projects – most of them, like Adam's own films, received poor reviews from critics but generated solid income, though box office failures occurred as well.

Adam Sandler's first film released by the new company was the comedy "Little Nicky" (2000) about the youngest and favorite devil's son, who decides to fight for good. Though the film couldn't recoup its $85 million budget, it was successful in its own way, earning Golden Raspberry nominations for worst film, the worst actor (Adam Sandler), the worst supporting actress (Patricia Arquette), the worst filmmaker and the worst scenario. Fortunately for Sandler, that same year saw another film that was an even bigger Golden Raspberry magnet – a fantastic action «Battlefield Earth» with John Travolta.
«Little Nicky» was a box office failure
«Little Nicky» was a box office failure
The comedy-drama "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002) marked a turning point in Sandler's career, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. The film's humor was more sophisticated than his previous work, free from his trademark goofy antics. The press wrote:
Breaking from his usual persona, Sandler showed unexpected acting depth... His performance has mystery, strength, and passion. Will he ever return to those silly comedies?
For better or worse, that prediction didn't pan out – Sandler went on to deliver some of his best comic performances in hilarious comedies over the following years. Perhaps they were less outrageous than his early films, but they maintained the charm of his unique style.
Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek on MTV Movie Awards 1999
Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek on MTV Movie Awards 1999
Still, Sandler's filmography includes several projects where he showcased his range as a more serious, versatile actor. One such project was the romantic comedy-drama "Spanglish" (2004), which wasn't a box office hit but earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score. Another Sandler's dramatic work was the film «Reign Over Me» (2007) featuring Liv Tyler. The film barely broke even at the box office, but critics described it as «a charming and touching story about friendship and loss, in which Adam Sandler perfectly portrayed a broken-down man».
Adam Sandler is not only the comedian
Adam Sandler is not only the comedian
Another departure for the actor was the tragicomedy "Funny People" (2009), where he portrayed a successful comedian, who rethinks his life, facing an incurable disease... and the disease retreats in the end. The film was a modest box office success and received average reviews, but it was a big step in Sandler's career.
A scene from the «Blended»
A scene from the «Blended»
Beyond live-action films, Adam Sandler has also voiced characters in several animated features: «Eight Crazy Nights» (1998, Sandler was also the producer and screenwriter), «Hotel Transylvania» (2012, Dracula) and «Hotel Transylvania 2» (2015).

In 2017 Adam Sandler ranked fourth on the list of Hollywood's highest-paid celebrities, behind Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, and list-topper Robert Downey Jr.. His combined paycheck for "The Meyerowitz Stories" and "Sandy Wexler" hit $50 million.
In 2017 Adam Sandler grew a mustache
In 2017 Adam Sandler grew a mustache
In 2018 Sandler voiced the threequel "Hotel Transylvania 3" along with Selena Gomez, Steve Buscemi, and other actors.

Adam Sandler's personal life

During the filming of "Big Daddy" (1999), Adam Sandler met model and aspiring actress Jacqueline Titone (born on 24 September 1974), who was in the film as a waitress. They immediately fell in love, and Jacqueline, who was brought up as a Christian, converted to Judaism. On 22 June 2003, they were married in Malibu. Jacqueline Sandler always supports her husband and often takes bit parts in his films.
Adam Sandler and Jacqueline Titone's marriage
Adam Sandler and Jacqueline Titone's marriage
The couple has two daughters: older daughter Sadie Madison Sandler was born on May 6, 2006, and younger daughter Sunny Madelyn Sandler was born on November 2, 2008.
Adam Sandler with wife and children
Adam Sandler with wife and children

Adam Sandler nowadays

Adam Sandler continues to star in films. In 2019, he starred in "Murder Mystery" as Nick Spitz. In the same year, he starred in the movie "Uncut Gems". In 2021, Adam Sandler returned to voice his familiar character Dracula in the animated film "Hotel Transylvania".
In 2020, the actor also publicly addressed the Academy's decision not to nominate him for an Oscar for his role in "Uncut Gems". According to the actor, being overlooked for his performance reminded him of high school.

Adam Sandler: latest news and articles

  • Sandler is not the best example of a comedy actor. He is too posed and simpering.
    2021-05-17 09:53:53
  • Well, in my opinion You Don’t Mess With The Zohan and Click are the best comedy movies with Sandler.
    2021-04-23 14:12:19
  • You Don’t Mess With The Zohan! This is the best comedy movie with Sandler!
    2021-04-16 18:20:44
  • I remember when I was watching `Click` and was laughing like crazy! Adam Sandler is very funny, all comedy movies with him are super good.
    2021-03-30 15:43:44
  • Cool comic guy. The Longest Yard is my favorite movie with this actor.
    2021-03-01 22:29:44
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