Adam Sandler has been a staple in the comedy world since the early 90’s, beginning with SNL .
From there, he released several smash movies, such as Billy Madison , Happy Gilmore , and The Wedding Singer . He’s even had a music career!
At the end of the day, he’s just a regular guy, trying to make the world a better place.
Here are 10+ facts that fans — or the haters — didn’t know.
1. He almost didn’t get into comedy:
The actor didn’t start doing stand-up until he was 17. And when he did, it was only because his brother told him to do it.
“If he hadn’t said to do it, I wouldn’t have thought it was a normal thing to do,” he told Interview magazine.
2. He was super broke before he landed his big break on *SNL*:
He may be one of the highest-paid actors today, but the same couldn’t be said at the beginning of his career.
He told 60 Minutes that he was making only $10 a night for his standup.
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3. He was originally a writer on *SNL*:
The was back in 1990. By 1991, he was a performer on the show, lasting all the way to 1995.
We’re so glad he was on the show since we were introduced to the magic of many incredible skits, including the “Hanukkah Song”.
4. He used to have crazy stage fright:
“I was so nervous every time,” he said in an interview with 60 Minutes .
“Then I’d get up there and I wouldn’t remember what I was supposed to say and go blank,” he explained.
The only thing that got him through was his guitar.
“And you have the guitar in your hands, and that way I was at least doing something.”
He went on to say that music was his “security blanket.”
5. He met his wife, Jackie Titone, on the set of *Big Daddy*:
At the time, Jackie was a model who had been wanting to break into acting. She landed the small role of a waitress on the film.
When the movie was released in 1999, these two were publically dating!
Before they got married, Jackie even converted to Judaism for him.
This sacrifice has seriously paid off, as the couple has been together for 22 years now and they have two kids together, Sadie, 14, and Sunny, 11.
Jackie has even appeared in several of Adam’s films.
6. Being a father has largely affected his lifestyle:
In an interview with The Huffington Post , he said that he’s turned into quite the old grump.
“I don’t go out to meet anyone after 9:30 at night. I eat dinner at six or seven. If someone makes me stay out until 10:30 at night, I’m angry the entire next day because I’m exhausted.”
7. He’s released comedy albums that have gone platinum:
He released his first comedy album in 1993, titled ” They’re All Gonna Laugh At You ).”
In the end, though, he was the only one laughing — straight to the bank! — as his album made at least two million sales!
This made it be certified double platinum AND it was nominated for a Grammy!
The same thing happened with his second album, “What the Hell Happened to Me?”
During his entire career, he’s released a total of five albums. I bet you didn’t know that, did you?
8. He was on *The Cosby Show* when he was 18:
This was actually his first-ever Hollywood gig. He played Theo Huxtable’s friend, Smitty for four episodes.
Sadly, the show has been put under a lot of scrutinies due to the sexual assault allegations of Bill Crosby, the show’s lead.
When asked by Globe Grind whether pulling the show off TV detracts from some of the show’s greatest accomplishments, Sandler was at a loss for words.
“I don’t have a good answer for that, but I understand both sides of it, but I don’t know what the right thing to do is,” he said .
9. He doesn’t care what the critics say about his movies:
It’s no secret that many of Adam’s movies have gotten, well, less than stellar reviews.
“I know what they’re writing about me,” Sandler said in an interview with the Independent .
10. He won the Razzie for Worst Actor and Worst Actress for *Jack and Jill*:
“I could almost write the piece for them by now. But then remember that I didn’t get into movies to please the critics. I got into it to make people laugh and have fun with my friends.” he said to the Independent .
12. He gives back to charity:
Whenever he’s not trying to make the world a better place through laughter, he’s achieving that by donations.
In 2007, he donated $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown, in addition to other generous efforts.
13. He was best friends with Chris Harley:
The comedian and former SNL star tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 1997.
“I miss Farley. He was a tour de force on the show and dominated,” Sandler told Vanity Fair .
“He could dominate anybody. There’s nobody that can walk into a room and take over better than Farley.”
He continued: “I haven’t seen anyone since he’s gone that’s taken that spot. He’s the strongest presence I’ve ever seen.”
To see what Adam means, just check out this clip.
14. He was fired from *SNL*:
The same thing happened with his Chris Farley. Thing is, he still doesn’t know why they were fired.
He told The Daily Beast : “Yes, we were [fired]. We kind of quit at the same time as being fired.”
“It was the end of the run for us. The fact that me and him got fired? Who knows.”
He continued on, saying that it hurt a lot at the time, “because we were young and didn’t know where we were going, but it all worked out.”
