See The Original ‘Happy Gilmore’ Cast Then and Now—Plus Who’s Back for the Sequel
Plus, details on how the death of one actor made them change the entire film
Today’s the day! Adam Sandler’s newest film, Happy Gilmore 2, is finally available to stream on Netflix! But before you watch it, and spot all the celebrity cameos like Travis Kelce, Bad Bunny, Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings and more, you need to remember who’s who in the original cast and discover what they’ve been doing since the first film aired way back in 1996. Read on for more.
Get to know the original ‘Happy Gilmore’ cast
Happy Gilmore first debuted in theaters in February 1996. It followed Happy Gilmore (Sandler) after he learns that hockey isn’t his calling, but golf is. The film was filled with hilarious moments, alligators, a sweet love story, earned over $41.4 million at the box office and featured several A-List celebrities—all of whom we discuss below.
Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore
Sandler was born in 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, and has since become one of the world’s most respected actors and comedians. He got his start on the hit sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and has since gone on to star in films like Billy Madison (1995), The Wedding Singer (1998), The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), 50 First Dates (2004), Grown Ups (2010), Just Go with It (2011), Uncut Gems (2019) and Spaceman (2024). He is expected to reprise his role as Happy in the film’s sequel, which he co-wrote with Tim Herlihy.
Sandler has been married to his wife, Jackie, since 2003, and they have two daughters together, both of whom, along with Jackie, appear in the film.
“It is just all happening fast. Kids are growing up − they really are into acting and movies, and it’s always been our thing to work with our friends and family,” Sandler told USA Today. “It’s cool to see them getting better. They work hard, and they go to school for it, and they love it. So, yeah, I’m just proud. Couldn’t love them more.
Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit
Long before she became Claire Dunphy in Modern Family, Julie Bowen starred as Virginia Venit, Happy’s eventual girlfriend in both Happy Gilmore and Happy Gilmore 2.
“It really feels like family,” Bowen exclusively told Woman’s World earlier this year. “Adam [Sandler] is the best—so warm, so collaborative. I think this one’s really about friendship, love and connection. There’s real heart in it. I think people are going to love it.”
Aside from Modern Family and Happy Gilmore, Bowen has also been in ER (1998 to 1999), Ed (2000 to 2004), Boston Legal (2005 to 2008) and Totally Killer (2023). She is 55 and has two kids.
Carl Weathers as Chubbs Peterson
Carl Weathers is an American actor best known for Rocky (1976), Street Justice (1991 to 1993), In The Heat of the Night (1993 to 1995), Toy Story 4 (2019) and The Mandalorian (2019 to 2023). Weathers died in 2024 at the age of 76 and doesn’t appear in the Happy Gilmore sequel, something that Sandler himself commented on.
“We had a painful change. Carl Weathers had a massive part,” Sandler said, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I would talk to Carl, and we were excited, and then Carl passed away. We had to rewrite a lot of the stuff, and even what the story was. We made a lot of nice references to how great Chubbs was in the movie. That was the biggest change.”
Weathers is survived by his two sons, Jason and Matthew.
Christopher McDonald as Shooter Gavin
Christopher McDonald is an Emmy-nominated actor who has over 229 credits to his name. Some standouts include Grease 2 (1982), Thelma & Louise (1991), Flubber (1997), Family Law (1999 to 2002), Lemonade Mouth (2011), Ballers (2016 to 2019) and Hacks (2021 to 2025). McDonald does reprise his role as Shooter Gavin, Happy’s enemy who loves finger guns, in the sequel.
Speaking of finger guns, McDonald told USA Today that people often do that hand motion when they see him out in public.
“Well, it depends on where I am. Airports, 4,000 [people do it]. Walking the city streets of New York, 9,000 [people do it]. It seems like it’s every day when I’m out in public. It’s really cool. People are kind enough just to go, ‘Shootah!’ and we have a good laugh. The fans are what keeps this classic going. So I have no problems at all pulling out the guns when necessary.”
McDonald is 70 years old and has been married to his wife, Lupe, since 1992. They have four children.
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