History of Happy Gilmore in Timeline

Happy Gilmore is a 1996 American sports comedy film about a rejected hockey player who discovers a talent for golf. Directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds, the film stars Adam Sandler as the titular character, alongside Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, and Carl Weathers. The film follows Happy's unconventional journey as he uses his powerful slapshot to dominate golf, all while trying to save his grandmother's house from foreclosure.

1980: Caddyshack Released

The golf comedy Caddyshack was released, which would later serve as inspiration for Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy when writing Happy Gilmore.

1987: Predator Released

The film Predator was released, starring Carl Weathers. Happy Gilmore would later reference this film in the character Chubbs Peterson's missing hand.

1994: Sandler cites Caddyshack as Inspiration

In an interview, Adam Sandler acknowledges the influence of the golf comedy Caddyshack, a film he and Herlihy enjoyed in college, as a source of inspiration for their work.

September 1, 1995: Filming for Happy Gilmore Concludes

Principal photography for Happy Gilmore wrapped up after beginning on July 6th, 1995. Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

1995: Adam Sandler Fired from SNL, Begins Work on Happy Gilmore

After being let go from Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler transitioned to film. Following the success of Billy Madison, he and his writing partner Tim Herlihy, began developing a new movie which would become Happy Gilmore.

February 16, 1996: Happy Gilmore Theatrical Release

Happy Gilmore, starring Adam Sandler, was released in theaters by Universal Pictures. The film achieved commercial success, grossing $39 million against a $12 million budget and winning an MTV Movie Award for Best Fight for Sandler and Bob Barker.

1996: Christopher McDonald Accepts Role of Shooter McGavin

After initially declining the role twice, Christopher McDonald agreed to play Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore after a successful round of golf and a meeting with Adam Sandler. Director Dennis Dugan encouraged McDonald to improvise on set, deviating from a stereotypical villain portrayal.

1996: Happy Gilmore Release

Happy Gilmore, an American sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler, was released this year.

2014: Bob Barker Parodies Happy Gilmore Fight

Bob Barker, in a humorous nod to his memorable fight scene in Happy Gilmore, parodied the altercation on an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful. This involved a staged fight with the character Wyatt Spencer, adding to the enduring legacy of the iconic film moment.

2015: Sandler and Barker Reenact Fight for Charity

Adam Sandler and Bob Barker came together for a comedic reenactment of their famous fight from Happy Gilmore during the Comedy Central Night of Too Many Stars. This event, aimed at raising funds for autism charities, served as a testament to the lasting impact and comedic resonance of the scene.

2016: Happy Gilmore Actor Discusses Payment

Actor Allen Covert, who played Otto in Happy Gilmore, revealed he continues to receive monthly residuals of $34 from the Screen Actors Guild for his role.

2020: Shooter McGavin in PGA Tour 2K21

Christopher McDonald reprised his iconic role as Shooter McGavin for a trailer promoting the video game PGA Tour 2K21.

September 2022: Adam Sandler Hints at Happy Gilmore Sequel

Adam Sandler expressed his interest in creating a sequel to Happy Gilmore, suggesting potential storylines that would see his character now competing on a senior golf tour.

August 26, 2023: Bob Barker Passes Away

Bob Barker, known for his role in Happy Gilmore and his long tenure as host of The Price is Right, passed away at the age of 99. News articles and special television segments commemorating Barker frequently highlighted his memorable fight scene with Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore.

March 2024: Christopher McDonald Reveals Sequel Script

Christopher McDonald shared that Adam Sandler had shown him a draft script for the Happy Gilmore sequel, fueling speculation among fans. Reports emerged that Netflix, home to Sandler's Happy Madison Productions, would be releasing Happy Gilmore 2.