Who played Happy in the movie "Happy Gilmore" from 1996?

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Adam Sandler played Happy Gilmore in the 1996 movie Happy Gilmore. The character is a failed hockey player who discovers that his powerful slap shot can translate into extraordinary golf drives.

Sandler co-wrote the screenplay with Tim Herlihy, his writing partner from Saturday Night Live and the earlier comedy Billy Madison. The film was directed by Dennis Dugan and became one of Sandler's defining sports comedies, combining an absurd golfing premise with his loud, confrontational comic style.

The supporting cast included Christopher McDonald as rival golfer Shooter McGavin, Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit, Carl Weathers as mentor Chubbs Peterson and Bob Barker in a memorable fight scene. Sandler's character was loosely inspired by his childhood friend Kyle McDonough, whose hockey background influenced the story's central idea.

Happy Gilmore was released by Universal Pictures on February 16, 1996. It earned more than $41 million worldwide from a reported $12 million budget and later developed a strong cult following.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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