7 Celeb & Golf Cameos That Make Happy Gilmore a Classic

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I’ve always admired the enduring appeal of “Happy Gilmore,” a movie that remains one of the most iconic golf films and among Adam Sandler’s finest works. This 1996 comedy gem is filled with some of his best-loved lines, like the unforgettable catchphrases such as “The price is wrong, b–ch!” and “You eat pieces of st for breakfast?“. Though Sandler has undeniably grown as an actor over time, showcasing his dramatic prowess, the laugh-out-loud moments from classics like “Billy Madison, Big Daddy, and The Waterboy” will forever hold a special place in our hearts and never be forgotten.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but rave about “Happy Gilmore”! In this hilarious flick, Adam Sandler plays the unconventional title character – a rough-around-the-edges ex-hockey player who stumbles upon golf as a means to save his granny’s beloved family home. With an eccentric style that includes a hockey stick putter and a unique swing, Happy initially amuses the snobby golfers with his antics. However, when he starts outperforming them at their own game, things quickly heat up!

This underdog’s impressive long drives catch the eye of none other than the arrogant golf pro Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who becomes both Happy’s fiercest rival on and off the course. The ensuing showdown between these two polar opposites is a must-see for any golf or comedy fan!

7. Bob Barker

Appears as himself

There’s no question that Bob Barker, famously known for hosting “The Price is Right” for almost 35 years, delivered one of the most unforgettable guest appearances in the movie “Happy Gilmore”. At the time he appeared in the film, Barker was at the peak of his game show career, which added to the significance and memorability of his performance.

Barker made guest appearances on several TV shows, including How I Met Your Mother in 2007, Futurama in 2000, The Nanny in 1994, and three episodes of Family Guy from 2001 to 2008. Notably, he hosted the game show Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1975, and his impact on daytime television during the 20th century was significant. Sadly, Barker passed away in August 2023 at the age of 99, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy.

In a Pro-Am tournament setting, each expert golfer teams up with a well-known figure. Barker, being one of them, is teamed up with Happy Gilmore. Initially, it seems they will cooperate smoothly as Barker emphasizes his competitive spirit, hinting at their potential camaraderie. He even boasts about his previous win last year with Nick Faldo, another professional golfer not featured in the movie.

Despite not meeting Barker’s expectations, Happy disappoints him significantly, causing Barker to become enraged. In a fit of anger, Barker criticizes Happy’s hockey skills, which sets off the memorable brawl depicted in the movie that culminates with the iconic quote, “The price is wrong, you bitch!” Seemingly knocking Barker unconscious, Happy momentarily takes control. However, Barker manages to recover and ultimately emerges victorious from the fight.

6. Richard Kiel

Appears as Mr. Larson

In the movie “Happy Gilmore,” Richard Kiel played Mr. Larson, a past employer of Happy who later became a significant backer for his golf aspirations. Standing at 7 feet and 2 inches tall, Kiel brought an imposing physical presence to every film he graced, making him impossible to overlook.

In the 1977 and 1979 James Bond movies, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker respectively, Richard Kiel played the infamous villain Jaws opposite Roger Moore as 007. This character became one of the most memorable bad guys in the James Bond series due to Kiel’s striking portrayal. Throughout his extensive acting career lasting more than five decades, he also appeared in notable films such as Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider (1985), The Fall Guy (1981), and Starsky & Hutch (1976).

In “Happy Gilmore,” Kiel, portrayed by Mr. Larson, is a significant character, frequently seen cheering for Happy from the sidelines during his PGA Tour competitions. He delivers both amusing and menacing quips that culminate in him pursuing Happy’s golf rival at the movie’s end. One of Kiel’s most memorable moments comes when he demonstrates incredible strength by bending a golf club in half with just his bare hands.

In “Happy Gilmore,” Kiel was given a rare chance to speak and display his innate comedic talent. This movie, one of his last appearances on screen, turned out to be among his most memorable roles. Eventually, Kiel lent his voice to the character Vlad in the 2010 animated film “Tangled,” but unfortunately, he passed away in 2014.

5. Ben Stiller

Appears as Hal L.

In the movie “Happy Gilmore,” though Ben Stiller isn’t formally recognized for his role, he delivers an exceptional cameo. His character, Hal L., is a nurse at an assisted living facility where Happy leaves his grandmother while pursuing professional golf. Hal initially appears friendly, promising special care for the grandmother, but behind closed doors, he transforms into a strict and authoritative figure.

In the movie, Stiller’s amusing portrayal delivered some of the most humorous dialogue, including “Could you possibly find a cold cup of shut your mouth for me” and “You’re now in my domain, grandma“. Remarkably, despite having minimal screen time in Happy Gilmore, Stiller’s cameo as Hal L. was undeniably hilarious and deserved more focus within the movie.

Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller have collaborated on several films together, some of which fall outside the realm of comedy. For instance, they both appeared in the 2017 drama film “The Meyerowitz Stories” directed by Noah Baumbach, alongside actors like Adam Driver, Emma Thompson, and Dustin Hoffman. They also teamed up for the 2009 comedy-drama “Funny People,” directed by Judd Apatow. Moreover, in the 2020 Netflix film “Hubie Halloween,” Sandler not only starred but also wrote and produced the movie, while Stiller reprised his role as Hal L. in it.

In the movie “Happy Gilmore,” my character was initially planned to have a more prominent role. However, some of my scenes ended up getting trimmed by director Dennis Dugan, who himself made a brief appearance in the film as the golf league commissioner. Interestingly enough, despite my character being immediately hilarious and iconic, it didn’t make it into the final cut.

4. Lee Trevino

Appears as himself

In the comedy film “Happy Gilmore,” renowned golfer Lee Trevino makes a cameo, playing himself. Although his role was minor, Trevino frequently shook his head in disbelief at Happy’s antics on the golf course, adding to the movie’s memorable moments. Not many real-life professional golfers appear in “Happy Gilmore,” but Trevino is one of them.

In the annals of his PGA career, Lee Trevino earned a notable place by being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981 and being named the PGA Player of the Year in 1971. Throughout this period, he amassed an impressive six major championship titles. Among these were two victories at the PGA Championship, in 1974 and 1984; a U.S. Open win in 1968 and 1971; and The Open Championship triumphs in 1971 and 1972. His most significant finishes at the Masters were tied for 10th place in both 1975 and 1985.

3. Verne Lundquist

Appears as himself

Verne Lundquist, the renowned sports commentator who spent much of his legendary career at CBS Sports, made an appearance in Happy Gilmore. In this movie, he was portrayed in a role similar to his real-life position as a sports broadcaster. Before settling down at CBS in 1998, Lundquist worked for various major television networks such as ABC Sports from 1974 to 1981, CBS from 1982 to 1995, and TNT from 1995 to 1997.

In the movie “Happy Gilmore,” Lundquist may have had a minor part, but his esteemed status as a respected sports announcer lent an air of authenticity to the golf-themed comedy. Over the course of his career, Lundquist has broadcast numerous NBA and NFL games, in addition to three separate Winter Olympics. He is particularly renowned for his iconic commentary at several Masters Tournaments.

2. Mark Lye

Appears as himself

In the movie “Happy Gilmore,” sports commentator and professional golfer Mark Lye makes a cameo as himself. Although his golfing accomplishments may not be as significant as Lee Trevino’s or Verne Lundquist’s, he was a consistent player on the PGA Tour from 1977 to 1991. Some of his best tournament results include tying for sixth place at the Masters Tournament in 1984, finishing tied for thirty-sixth at the PGA Championship in 1986, and placing thirteenth at the U.S. Open in 1989.

In 1995, I sustained an injury that ripped a ligament in my right hand, sadly bringing an end to my promising career as a golfer. Yet, I managed to make a cameo appearance in the iconic movie “Happy Gilmore,” lending an authentic touch to the professional golf ambiance. Just like Lundquist, I contributed to the film’s timeless appeal. Subsequently, I found new roles as an analyst for The Golf Channel and a radio host on SiriusXM, where I continue to share my passion for the sport.

1. Jack Giarraputo

Appears as a sports broadcaster

In the movie Happy Gilmore, Jack Giarraputo is depicted as Verne Lundquist’s co-commentator. However, in real life, Giarraputo was Adam Sandler’s college roommate at NYU and played a significant role as a producer for most of his films from the 1990s to the 2000s. Besides Happy Gilmore, he produced Billy Madison, The Waterboy, 50 First Dates, Eight Crazy Nights, Mr. Deeds, Little Nicky, and several other popular Sandler movies, including the first two Grown Ups films.

In 2016, Giarraputo stepped down from his role as a movie producer, with his final production being “Pixels” where he served as an executive producer. Though Giarraputo had a minor acting role in “Happy Gilmore”, he played a significant behind-the-scenes part in the film’s success.

Happy Gilmore 2 Has A Bunch Of Cameos Lined Up

After almost two decades, “Happy Gilmore 2” has been announced at last, bringing the long-anticipated follow-up to fans. In this new installment, Adam Sandler reprises his role as Happy, returning to golf after a lengthy break. Characters like Christopher MacDonald as Shooter McGavin and Julie Bowen as Virginia (now married to Happy) are among those making a comeback. Moreover, the sequel appears to be competing with the original in terms of the quantity of guest appearances.

In the upcoming film, a variety of prominent golfers from today and yesterday are set to make an appearance, such as Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Jack Nicklaus, John Daly, and Lee Trevino – all returning from the previous movie. Additionally, some well-known actors have joined the cast for minor roles, with Margaret Qualley, Benny Safdie, and Ben Stiller confirmed, while football star Travis Kelce is also featured in the film’s trailer.

As a die-hard fan, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming appearances in “Happy Gilmore 2.” It seems that the music world will be well-represented, with Eminem potentially joining the fray following his entertaining cameo alongside Adam Sandler in “Funny People.” Moreover, Bad Bunny is rumored to take on the role of Happy’s caddy! Additionally, Kid Cudi has also been confirmed as part of the cast. Of course, these are just a few of the surprises we’re already expecting from “Happy Gilmore 2,” which will be available on Netflix starting July 25. Can’t wait to see what other stars will pop up in this much-anticipated sequel!

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2025-04-28 17:21