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Later, alligator: Adam Sandler pens tribute to his reptilian ‘Happy Gilmore’ co-star

BBG News

Adam Sandler doesn’t shed fake tears for his “Happy Gilmore” costar, Morris the Alligator; instead, he keeps lighthearted jabs in reserve.

Actor and comedian Adam Sandler, known for his role in “Punch-Drunk Love”, posted a heartfelt and playful tribute to his reptilian co-star from their 1996 golf comedy set, who passed away at a gator farm in southern Colorado on Sunday due to old age. He shared this touching message across both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

I’ll surely feel your absence. You had a knack for pushing us, directors, makeup artists, costume designers – basically everyone with limbs, but I understand now that it was all in pursuit of the best possible outcome for the movie.

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In a recent development, it has been reported that Burt, the iconic saltwater crocodile who starred alongside Paul Hogan in the classic film ‘Crocodile Dundee’, passed away over the weekend. This 1986 comedy played a significant role in popularizing Australian colloquialisms in the United States.

Jay Young, proprietor of Colorado Gator Farm, conveyed Morris’s passing in a heartfelt video he posted on Facebook. “He began behaving oddly around a week back,” Young explained, gently touching the reptile’s scalp. “He wasn’t showing aggression towards us and was not eating.

It may seem unusual to some that we develop such strong bonds with an alligator, as well as with all our animals,” Young explained. “He lived happily here, and he passed away due to natural causes brought on by old age.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself utterly captivated by “Happy Gilmore.” In one memorable scene, it’s my hero Sandler’s character, an unexpected golfing sensation, who squares off against the feisty gator from Morris following a golf ball’s unfortunate landing in his menacing jaws. After a failed attempt, the daring Happy plunges into the golf course pond and delivers a series of punches to the reptile before finally retrieving the ball.

Morris, primarily recognized for his role in “Happy Gilmore,” showcased his talent in various film productions such as “Interview with the Vampire,” “Dr. Dolittle 2,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” He decided to retire in 2006. Tragically, he was discovered as an unlawful pet in a Los Angeles backyard and relocated to the Colorado Gator Farm before his time.

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According to Adam Sandler, there’s truth to the rumor that Christopher McDonald leaked about a second ‘Happy Gilmore’ movie being made, and Drew Barrymore added fuel to the fire by confirming it on her chat program.

In his heartfelt homage, Sandler recounted that Morris taught him an unforgettable lesson during their movie’s production when he wouldn’t leave his trailer unless offered 40 heads of lettuce: “Always stand firm in your artistic principles.” Moreover, the stars of “The Wedding Singer” and “50 First Dates” recalled genuine encounters with Morris that even involved sharing a candy bar, and interacting with a gator.

“You let me have the bigger half,” he joked. “But that’s who you were.”

As Sandler states, Morris was a seasoned Hollywood actor with refined manners. The leading star of “Uncut Gems” playfully mentioned that the alligator, despite his character’s demise in the original movie, sent a “fruit basket and amusing message” to the “Happy Gilmore” crew ahead of the eagerly awaited sequel, which is set to debut in July.

In Sandler’s eulogy, he expressed that he would dearly miss the sound of your tail rustling through the tall grass, the unique texture of your skin, but most poignantly, he will miss your heartwarming laughter. He concluded by expressing gratitude towards Mr. Young for his care over the years, and farewell, dear old friend.

Colorado Gator Farm revealed on Monday their decision to have Morris’ physical form preserved through taxidermy, allowing him to terrify children for many years to come.

“It’s what he would have wanted,” the farm said on Facebook.

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2025-05-16 01:31

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