10 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Happy Gilmore’

By Olivia Armstrong @itslivarmstrong
Published Feb. 16, 2016, 10:30 a.m. ET

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Happy Gilmore

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Turning twenty years old today is Happy Gilmore. Starring Adam Sandler in the titular role, the sports comedy follows a down-on-his-luck hockey player who, with the help of a one-handed mentor (Carl Weathers), is inspired to become the new face of professional golf. Often donning a stained hockey jersey and a stepping up to the tee with a violent, atypical swing, Happy Gilmore piques the interest of golf’s stuffiest followers while drawing a diverse, new crowd — one who is more in-tune with his sailor-mouthed, beer-guzzling antics. Also starring Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald as Gilmore’s foil, Shooter McGavin, the sports comedy remains a resounding favorite.

Directed by frequent Sandler collaborator Dennis Dugan (who also directed Big Daddy and Grown Ups, among other Happy Madison-produced fare), the foul-mouthed farce opened to strong box office numbers back in 1996, but not unlike Sandler’s current endeavors, received unfavorable reviews. Despite being slammed by critics across the board, Happy Gilmore when on to become a cult classic, cementing itself — along with manchild gag Billy Madison, which came out one year earlier — as one of Sandler’s most celebrated comedies.

While you still may be able to recite the relentlessly quotable flick two decades after the fact, it’s time to test your knowledge of the comedy’s behind-the-scenes trivia, some of which may surprise you. Here are ten facts you may or may not know about Happy Gilmore.

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Photo: Everett Collection
Ben Stiller's role as evil nursing home orderly Hal L. is uncredited and, despite his name tag, no one in the film refers to him as Hal.Gif: Universal Pictures
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Bob Barker, who studied Tang Soo Do Karate with martial arts master Chuck Norris, is really throwing those punches in the famous fairway fight scene.Gif: Universal Pictures
Kevin Costner and Bruce Campbell both auditioned for the role of Happy's sworn enemy, Shooter McGavin, which ultimately went to Christopher McDonald. Despite losing out on the part, Costner starred in his own golf comedy, Tin Cup that very same year.
[Where to stream Tin Cup]Photos: Everett Collection
Christoher McDonald ("Shooter McGavin") was hesitant to accept the role (he turned it down twice, in fact!) after consistently being typecast as an antagonist. He eventually signed on after meeting with Sandler and working through the script.Gif: Universal Pictures
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Though Happy Gilmore's signature run and strike swing technique is rumored to be unachievable, a bunch of pros tried it out at the European Tour back in 2013. Most were unsuccessful, but one golfer, Padraig Harrington, managed to drive the ball 328 yards using the ol' Happy style.Gif: Universal Pictures
Frances Bay, the actress who plays Gilmore's grandmother was born in 1919 (!) and didn't start acting until the age of 58 when she was cast in a bit role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Bay passed away in 2011 at the age of 92.Photo: Everett Collection
Remember the snarky guy who's always standing on the sidelines? His name is Lee Trevino and he's really a professional golfer. And an accomplished one at that, having broke serious ground for Mexican-Americans players.Gif: Universal Pictures
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Subway didn't officially start endorsing people until Jared Fogle in 2000 so technically, Happy Gilmore is the franchise's first celebrity face.Gif: Universal Pictures
Otto, Happy's homeless caddy, is actually Sandler's good friend, Allen Covert of Grandma's Boy and just about every other Happy Madison-produced flick you can think of.
[Where to stream Grandma's Boy]Photos: Universal Pictures, Everett Collection
You can buy a Happy Gilmore-inspired Odyssey putter (the brand made a few prototypes for the film) for a cool $1200.Photo: Everett Collection
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[Stream Happy Gilmore on Amazon Video]