As the stars of Happy Gilmore reunite for a long overdue sequel, Adam Sandler is paying tribute to one original cast member.
The 2x Golden Globe nominee mourned the death of his alligator co-star Morris, who played the titular character’s nemesis in the 1996 golf comedy, on Wednesday with a sweet tribute to the reptilian actor on Instagram.
“Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you,” he captioned the post. “You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that’s who you were.”
Sandler continued, “I know your character’s decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.”
Colorado Gator Farm announced Morris’ death this week on Facebook. The alligator, who was estimated to be more than 80 years old, appeared in many films and TV shows from 1975 to 2006, when he retired to the gator farm.
In Happy Gilmore, Sandler’s short-tempered golfer decapitates the gator with a golf club to retrieve his coach Chubbs’ (Carl Weathers) severed hand.
Sandler reprises his role in Happy Gilmore 2, which premieres July 25 on Netflix, also featuring the returns of Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller and Dennis Dugan. Additionally, the cast includes Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, Nick Swardson, Benny Safdie Scott Mescudi, pro wrestler Jacob Friedman and Travis Kelce.
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