CHICAGO - Despite all his successes, Adam Sandler swears he doesn’t watch himself on screen very often.
“I have watched my movies in front of audiences before and that is always fun,” he said. “I love trying to make people laugh.
“But I only watch myself long enough to be able to say to myself, ‘Damn, you are good,’” Sandler joked at a news conference and movie screening last week at the Chicago House of Blues.
Sandler’s devilish new comedy, “Little Nicky,” opens tonight.
The man
When asked who, of all his film characters, he thinks he resembles the most (and not just physically), Sandler answered with dignity and a short smile, “probably Happy Gilmore or my character in ‘Big Daddy.’ But I guess sometimes when I wake up in the morning I’m a little bit of Bobby Boucher (‘The Waterboy’).”
For those who don’t follow Sandler too closely, Bobby is much dorkier than the cocky, sharp-speaking Happy Gilmore or Sonny Koufax of “Big Daddy.”
Sandler, who has gathered a worldwide following, has seen his share of success in the past few years. His films, ranging from “Billy Madison” and “Happy Gilmore” to “The Waterboy” and “The Wedding Singer,” were all preceded by equally funny movies.
At one time a stand-up comedian, Sandler has grown from his experience, going on to write, act in and produce films.
After the production of his new film, Sandler has become one of the highest paid actors in the business.
However, he doesn’t feel guilty about drawing $25 million off his new comedy.
In fact, he even corrected a film reporter who assumed his check read $20 million.
“Actually, it was $25 million, and nah, I don’t feel guilty,” Sandler quipped.
But, in the opinion of many of his fans, Sandler deserves every cent he gets.
“He is a hard-working actor and he deserves it,” said engineering no-preference sophomore Dan Lewis. “He’s come a long way from low comedy clubs to do what he does today.”
What many Sandler fans similar to Lewis may not know is that Sandler actually debuted his acting and comedic talents on the one and only “The Cosby Show” long before he ever became a popular cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”
Sandler received a degree in fine arts from New York University and did some stand-up comedy after his successful run with Cosby.
It was this stand-up that grabbed the attention of then-SNL cast member Dennis Miller, now the color commentator of Monday Night Football.
Once on SNL, Sandler joined the ranks of the late Chris Farley, David Spade, Chris Rock, Kevin Nealon and Rob Schneider. Sandler’s talents grew popular, driving many viewers to eagerly await the next appearance of Operaman or any of the characters he played so well.
After leaving SNL to star in films, Sandler put in appearances in at least four films and starred in five of his own.
Prior to “Little Nicky,” Sandler’s latest box office hit was “Big Daddy,” a comedy that broke numerous records with an opening weekend gross of more than $40 million. He co-wrote, produced and starred in the film.
The friends
Although Sandler may stand out more than many of his co-workers, it is, in fact, his friends who aid in the creation of each of the classically hilarious movies.
Sandler has joined friends Allen Covert, Peter Dante and Jonathan Loughran on many of the films, and he gives this friendship credit for his successes.
“We all met at NYU and then moved out to California together,” Sandler said. “It’s really good to have the opportunity to work with a lot of friends who are on the same page as you.”
According to Sandler and Covert, most of the writing of these films, namely “Little Nicky,” takes place in Sandler’s dining room.
“We all have a really good time doing these movies,” said Covert, who is probably best remembered as the homeless caddy in “Happy Gilmore.”
“And Adam always makes me do some crazy stuff. I remember him calling me one night before we started filming ‘Little Nicky’ and saying, ‘Hey, you have to gain 30 pounds and shave your head.’”
The future
Due out sometime next year is an animated musical based on Hanukah, Sandler said.
“We’re putting it together right now,” he said. “It’s going to have a lot of songs.”
Except for this upcoming venture, Sandler isn’t quite sure what he will be doing in the future.
However, for both Sandler and Covert, visions of another college comedy tour dance through their heads. Sandler stopped at MSU in November 1997 as part of a previous college comedy tour.
And on top of that possibility lies the chance of another comedy album and even the chance of a role in a different style of film than Sandler is used to.
“While we were on the set of ‘Little Nicky,’ Paul Thomas Anderson paid me a visit,” he said. “I thought his last movie, ‘Magnolia,’ was wonderful and I could have a chance of working with him.”
