The Life and Career of Actor and Comedian Adam Sandler
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Known for his slow characters, outrageous golf techniques and deplorable parenting skills, this comedian certainly knows how to serve up the laughter. Born on September 9th, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, he was later encouraged to perform in comedy clubs as a teen. There and was discovered by comedian Dennis Miller, who introduced him to the producer of “Saturday Night Live.” From there, the budding comedian became a featured player and entertained audiences with his original songs and offbeat characters. Shifting his attention to film, he successfully packaged his comedic formula to create outrageously funny movies. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we take a look at the life and career of actor and comedian Adam Sandler.
The Life and Career of Actor and Comedian Adam Sandler
Known for his outrageous golf techniques and deplorable parenting skills, this comedian certainly knows how to serve up the laughter. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re taking a look at the life and career of Adam Sandler.
Adam Richard Sandler was born on September 9th, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. After realizing comedy came naturally to him, Sandler was encouraged by his brother to perform in clubs while he was still a teen. Sandler was eventually discovered at one of his shows by comedian Dennis Miller, who subsequently introduced him to the producer of “Saturday Night Live.”
The budding comedian started off as a writer for “SNL” in 1990, and he quickly became a featured player the next year. During his run on the television comedy show, Sandler was best known for his funny and original songs. Some of these compositions later appeared on his musical comedy albums.
Though his first starring film role was in 1989’s “Going Overboard,” the young actor began really focusing on movies after “SNL.” In the 1994 comedy “Airheads,” he took on the role of a musician. He followed that by playing the title character in the commercially successful but poorly reviewed comedy “Billy Madison.”
His next comedies found financial success but little critical acclaim. Fans enjoyed 1996’s “Bulletproof” due to its action, while “Happy Gilmore” brought out Sandler’s low-brow type of humor.
In 1998, the actor fared slightly better in terms of reviews with the romantic comedy “The Wedding Singer.” The film earned over one hundred million dollars, and allowed Sandler to show off his softer side and perform songs he had written himself. Later that year, he starred in another high grossing comedy called “The Waterboy,” and that film helped turn him into a star.
The next year, Sandler formed Happy Madison Productions. The company has produced the majority of his films, in addition to the movies of many of his friends and fellow “SNL” cast-mates, such as Rob Schneider. Sandler also acted in the comedy “Big Daddy” in 1999, and during filming he met his future wife. (she plays a waitress, only has had small roles in films)
In 2002, Sandler tackled the role of pizzeria owner Longfellow Deeds in the comedy “Mr. Deeds.” Later that year, he showcased his dramatic skills in the role of Barry Egan in “Punch-Drunk Love.” The movie allowed Sandler to play a much deeper character and even earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
The following year, Sandler shared the silver screen with veteran actor Jack Nicholson in “Anger Management.” The slapstick comedy received mixed reviews, but was nevertheless a box office success. In 2004, Sandler re-teamed with Drew Barrymore in the romantic comedy “50 First Dates.” He finished off that year with more serious fare in the movie “Spanglish.”
In 2005, he tackled the remake of the sports comedy “The Longest Yard” as ex-football player Paul Crewe. That film had the biggest opening weekend of Sandler’s career to that point. His next two movies were more serious in tone: 2006’s sci-fi flick “Click” and 2007’s drama “Reign Over Me.” That film earned Sandler praise for his dramatic acting chops.
He went back to comedy later that year with “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.” The film was negatively reviewed for its use of stereotypes, but even so was a number one hit.
Sandler appeared in two comedies in 2008: “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and “Bedtime Stories.” Both films grossed over one hundred million dollars in the United States. Sandler next played a cancer-stricken comedian in the 2009 movie “Funny People.” That movie was written and directed by Judd Apatow, and contained many more dramatic elements than his previous productions.
In 2010, Sandler acted alongside many “Saturday Night Live” alumni in the buddy comedy “Grown Ups.” The movie became another domestic box office success, though it was not very popular with critics.
The next year, he starred in the romantic comedy “Just Go with It” and voiced a capuchin monkey named Donald in the comedy “Zookeeper.” Later in 2011, he played male and female twin siblings in the movie “Jack and Jill.”
With half a dozen of his movies grossing over a hundred million dollars at the American box office, it is clear that audiences appreciate Adam Sandler. By combining his successful formula for comedy with the dramatic abilities he has developed, the actor will undoubtedly remain a strong Hollywood talent.
Known for his outrageous golf techniques and deplorable parenting skills, this comedian certainly knows how to serve up the laughter. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re taking a look at the life and career of Adam Sandler.
Adam Richard Sandler was born on September 9th, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. After realizing comedy came naturally to him, Sandler was encouraged by his brother to perform in clubs while he was still a teen. Sandler was eventually discovered at one of his shows by comedian Dennis Miller, who subsequently introduced him to the producer of “Saturday Night Live.”
The budding comedian started off as a writer for “SNL” in 1990, and he quickly became a featured player the next year. During his run on the television comedy show, Sandler was best known for his funny and original songs. Some of these compositions later appeared on his musical comedy albums.
Though his first starring film role was in 1989’s “Going Overboard,” the young actor began really focusing on movies after “SNL.” In the 1994 comedy “Airheads,” he took on the role of a musician. He followed that by playing the title character in the commercially successful but poorly reviewed comedy “Billy Madison.”
His next comedies found financial success but little critical acclaim. Fans enjoyed 1996’s “Bulletproof” due to its action, while “Happy Gilmore” brought out Sandler’s low-brow type of humor.
In 1998, the actor fared slightly better in terms of reviews with the romantic comedy “The Wedding Singer.” The film earned over one hundred million dollars, and allowed Sandler to show off his softer side and perform songs he had written himself. Later that year, he starred in another high grossing comedy called “The Waterboy,” and that film helped turn him into a star.
The next year, Sandler formed Happy Madison Productions. The company has produced the majority of his films, in addition to the movies of many of his friends and fellow “SNL” cast-mates, such as Rob Schneider. Sandler also acted in the comedy “Big Daddy” in 1999, and during filming he met his future wife. (she plays a waitress, only has had small roles in films)
In 2002, Sandler tackled the role of pizzeria owner Longfellow Deeds in the comedy “Mr. Deeds.” Later that year, he showcased his dramatic skills in the role of Barry Egan in “Punch-Drunk Love.” The movie allowed Sandler to play a much deeper character and even earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
The following year, Sandler shared the silver screen with veteran actor Jack Nicholson in “Anger Management.” The slapstick comedy received mixed reviews, but was nevertheless a box office success. In 2004, Sandler re-teamed with Drew Barrymore in the romantic comedy “50 First Dates.” He finished off that year with more serious fare in the movie “Spanglish.”
In 2005, he tackled the remake of the sports comedy “The Longest Yard” as ex-football player Paul Crewe. That film had the biggest opening weekend of Sandler’s career to that point. His next two movies were more serious in tone: 2006’s sci-fi flick “Click” and 2007’s drama “Reign Over Me.” That film earned Sandler praise for his dramatic acting chops.
He went back to comedy later that year with “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.” The film was negatively reviewed for its use of stereotypes, but even so was a number one hit.
Sandler appeared in two comedies in 2008: “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and “Bedtime Stories.” Both films grossed over one hundred million dollars in the United States. Sandler next played a cancer-stricken comedian in the 2009 movie “Funny People.” That movie was written and directed by Judd Apatow, and contained many more dramatic elements than his previous productions.
In 2010, Sandler acted alongside many “Saturday Night Live” alumni in the buddy comedy “Grown Ups.” The movie became another domestic box office success, though it was not very popular with critics.
The next year, he starred in the romantic comedy “Just Go with It” and voiced a capuchin monkey named Donald in the comedy “Zookeeper.” Later in 2011, he played male and female twin siblings in the movie “Jack and Jill.”
With half a dozen of his movies grossing over a hundred million dollars at the American box office, it is clear that audiences appreciate Adam Sandler. By combining his successful formula for comedy with the dramatic abilities he has developed, the actor will undoubtedly remain a strong Hollywood talent.
