Everyone in Happy Gilmore who has died as Adam Sandler was forced to rewrite Netflix sequel for tragic reason
This week Happy Gilmore will return to our screens as Adam Sandler is back for a sequel.
Happy Gilmore 2, releasing on Netflix later this week, will feature a number of returning characters, including Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, and Christopher McDonald.
A number of actors who starred in the first film in 1996 however will not be making their return as they have tragically passed away in the 29 years since the original.
Adam Sandler even revealed that the Netflix sequel actually had to be rewritten extensively due to the tragic death of one of the main stars of the original film.
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Here is every major actor to have appeared in Happy Gilmore who has passed away in the nearly 30 years since the original.
Carl Weathers – Chubbs Peterson
The iconic actor best known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies was also well known for his role as Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore.
He played a professional golfer and mentor to Happy, however the legendary screen star passed away in February of last year.
He was originally intended to have a major role in the sequel, with Sandler stating that the script went through major rewrites following his death.
The actor for Happy said in an interview with Collider: “We had a painful change, Carl Weathers had a massive part.”
He went on to say that Carl was incredibly excited and that after he passed away they ‘had to rewrite a lot of the stuff, and even what the story was’.
Sandler finally added: “We made a lot of nice references to how great Chubbs was in the movie.”
Bob Barker – himself
Bob Barker starred in the film as himself in a role that wasn’t even originally written for him.
Ed McMahon, a talk show personality, was the original celebrity that they had hoped would get into a scrap with Happy, but Sandler said he never responded when they reached out.
The writers turned instead to Price is Right host Bob Barker.
Whilst he was initially unsure on taking the role, he agreed after finding out he would be beating Sandler’s Happy in the fight.
Sandler took to X after his death in 2023, saying: “The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet, funny guy to hang out with.
“Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me.”
Frances Bay – Grandma
Bay played Happy’s Grandmother in the film, arguably the biggest motivating factor in Happy’s story in the first film.
Happy moves from hockey into golf after discovering his Grandma, played by Bay, owed the IRS $270,000 in back taxes.
This pushes him to take up golfing in order to try and earn enough money to save her house from being foreclosed upon.
Bay suffered a major injury in 2002 that left her leg amputated below the knee following a car crash.
She would later die in 2011 of complications from pneumonia. Alongside Happy Gilmore, she was best known for her role in various David Lynch productions.
Joe Flaherty - Heckler
Joe Flaherty may not have had the biggest role in Happy Gilmore but his absence from the sequel will be a big miss.
Flaherty, also known for comedic roles in shows such as Freaks and Geeks, starred in the film as a heckler paid by Shooter to try and put Happy off his game.
The comedic actor died last year at the age of 82.
Richard Kiel - Mr Larson
Another actor from the film to have passed away in the time since is the man mountain Richard Kiel who played Happy’s former boss Mr. Larson.
The 7”2 actor died last year and was also known for his role as James Bond villain Jaws.
Topics: Adam Sandler, Netflix, TV and Film, Film
Michael Slavin