Los Angeles [US]: As anticipation builds for the upcoming sequel Happy Gilmore 2, Adam Sandler took a moment to honor one of the original film’s most memorable characters — Morris, the real-life alligator who portrayed Happy’s fierce on-screen nemesis.
Sandler posted a heartfelt and humorous tribute on his Instagram to the late alligator, who passed away this week at the Colorado Gator Farm, where he had been living in retirement since 2006.
“Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, makeup 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 the time at craft service when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that’s who you were,”
he captioned the post.
He 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.”
In the original Happy Gilmore (1996), Sandler’s character famously wrestled with Morris’s character to retrieve his coach’s severed hand—one of the film’s most iconic and comedic scenes.
Happy Gilmore 2 is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on July 25, bringing back several original cast members including Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller, and Dennis Dugan. New additions to the cast include Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, and NFL star Travis Kelce.