Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2: Unveiling Family Dynamics
Adam Sandler prioritizes family in his work.
At 58, Sandler is recognized for including his renowned friends in his movies, but his family holds a special place. The comedian consistently casts his wife, Jackie, and their daughters, Sadie, 19, and Sunny, 16, in most of his projects, including his latest film, Happy Gilmore 2.
“Oh, my God, you’re just relieved. Once they do it well, nothing feels better as a parent,” Sandler shared with E! News in a July interview regarding his daughters’ involvement in his films. “It must feel like when you’re the parents of a baseball player and they hit a home run. You just think, ‘Thank God.’ It’s pure relief.”
Jackie has a brief appearance in Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel to the 1996 classic, while Sunny and Sadie play key roles, with Sunny even taking on the character of Vennita, Happy and Virginia Venit’s (Julie Bowen) only daughter.
Bowen, reprising her role from the original film and also working with Sandler on 2020’s Hubie Halloween, shared with Us Weekly that collaborating with Sunny and Sadie is always a highlight, as is the comfortable atmosphere Sandler creates on set.
“Everyone wants to feel at home, and Adam makes that happen for hundreds of people,” she said. “When he talks about cameos and guest stars, he focuses on thanking them for sacrificing their time and performing for long hours. He has always been like that.”
Curious about Sandler’s family’s roles in Happy Gilmore 2? Keep reading to learn more.
Sunny Sandler
The 16-year-old shines in Happy Gilmore 2, playing Vennita, Happy and Virginia’s daughter. Happy’s main drive is to support Vennita in chasing her dreams, leading him to return to golf to earn money for her ballet education in Europe.
Even though Happy has four sons in the story, his unique bond with Vennita serves as the film’s emotional anchor. Everything he does is for her, and she reciprocates by caring for him. When he drinks too much, she ensures he gets to bed. And when he doubts his chances in the golf tournament, she cheers him on the loudest. In the end, he finds a way to help her pursue her passion.
Sadie Sandler
Sadie plays Charlotte, a member of Happy’s Alcoholics Anonymous group. They connect instantly, and Happy stands up for her when Hal L (Ben Stiller), who serves as their group’s “therapist,” verbally attacks her.
“I don’t like how you speak to that child. She has supported me more than you have, buddy,” Happy tells Hal before Sadie’s character reveals she has informed the FBI about Hal’s inappropriate behavior.
In the film’s closing moments, they share a touching moment. “You’re a really cool kid,” Happy tells Sadie, and she replies, “You’re cool too. You remind me of my dad.”
Jackie Sandler
Although Jackie has a minor role in the film, she appears as Vennita’s ballet instructor, informing Happy that his daughter requires a “better teacher,” which sets off his journey to ensure she gets to Europe for her training.
