Adam Sandler pays tribute to 'Happy Gilmore' alligator Morris who died of old age: 'We are all gonna miss you'
An alligator that appeared in numerous TV shows and films over three decades, most notably the 1996
Adam Sandler
comedy "
Happy Gilmore
," has died at a gator farm in southern Colorado.
Based on his growth rate and tooth loss,
Morris the alligator
was at least 80 years old when he died, the Colorado Gator Farm said in a Facebook post Sunday. He was nearly 11 feet (3.3 meters) long and weighed 640 pounds (290 kilograms).
"He started acting strange about a week ago. He wasn't lunging at us and wasn't taking food," Jay Young, the farm's owner and operator, said in a video as he tearfully stroked Morris' head in an animal enclosure.
"I know it's strange to people that we get so attached to an alligator, to all of our animals. ... He had a happy time here, and he died of old age," he said.
Morris, who was found in the backyard of a Los Angeles home as an illegal pet, started his Hollywood career in 1975 and retired in 2006, when he was sent to the Colorado Gator Farm in the tiny town of Mosca. He appeared in several films, including "Interview with the Vampire," "Dr. Dolittle 2" and "Blues Brothers 2000." He also appeared on "Coach," "Night Court" and "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno
" featuring the late wildlife expert
Steve Irwin
.
But his most famous role was in "Happy Gilmore," a film about a failed and ill-tempered hockey player who discovers a talent for golf. The title character played by Sandler confronts Morris after hitting a golf ball that ends up in the gator's mouth.
Sandler posted a tribute to Morris on Instagram on Wednesday.
"Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers - really anyone with arms or legs - but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn't come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that's who you were.
I know your character's decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend," Sandler wrote.
The Colorado Gator Farm, which opened to the public in 1990, said it plans to preserve Morris' body.
"We have decided to get Morris taxidermied so that he can continue to scare children for years to come. It's what he would have wanted," the farm posted on Facebook on Monday.
Check out our list of the
latest Hindi
,
English
,
Tamil
,
Telugu
,
Malayalam
, and
Kannada movies
. Don't miss our picks for the
best Hindi movies
,
best Tamil movies,
and
best Telugu films
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
‘Tuk Tuk' makes big impact; takes OTT by storm with massive viewership
Sometimes, a film doesn't need big stars or massive budgets to leave a lasting impression. Proving this point once again is the small-budget Telugu film Tuk Tuk, which has become an unexpected hit on OTT. Recently released on Amazon Prime Video, the film has quickly climbed the charts and currently holds the No. 3 spot on the platform's trending list, surprising audiences and industry insiders alike. According to reports, Tuk Tuk has already crossed 100 million views—a remarkable feat for an indie project. What makes this achievement even more impressive is the film's lack of a star-studded cast or flashy production values. Instead, it relies on a heartfelt story, natural performances, and a director's unique vision to win over viewers. Directed by a debut filmmaker, Tuk Tuk blends drama and humour seamlessly, creating a screenplay that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The film's strength lies in its simplicity and the honesty in storytelling. Every element—from direction and acting to music and narrative—works in harmony to make the film stand out. The actors, many of whom are newcomers, have received widespread recognition for their authentic performances. In particular, some of the younger cast members have become social media sensations, thanks to their dialogue delivery and screen presence. Tuk Tuk is yet another reminder that content is king. Its success proves that honest filmmaking backed by a compelling narrative can find its audience, regardless of budget or star power. The film has not only brought well-deserved attention to its cast and crew but also lit a beacon of hope for aspiring filmmakers and actors in the Telugu industry. If you haven't watched Tuk Tuk yet, it's streaming now on Amazon Prime Video—a must-watch underdog story.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Thug Life: Pro-Kannada group warns Bengaluru theatres against screening Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life'
Tensions flared in Bengaluru on Sunday as members of the pro-Kannada group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest outside Victory Cinema in Kamakshipalya. The demonstration was aimed at halting the screening of 's upcoming film 'Thug Life,' following a controversial statement made by the actor. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During an event in Chennai, Kamal Haasan reportedly remarked that "Kannada was born from Tamil," a claim that triggered widespread backlash among Kannada supporters. Group threatens theatre owners, KFCC responds Praveen Shetty, the president of the Rakshana Vedike, led the protest and issued a stern warning to theatre owners. He alleged that Kamal Haasan had insulted the Kannada language and called for the film to be blocked across Karnataka. Speaking to ANI, Shetty said that if 'Thug Life' is screened, the state government must be prepared to take responsibility for any fallout. Shortly after the protest, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) announced a statewide ban on the film's release. CM and Kamal Haasan respond The controversy deepened midweek when Siddaramaiah responded to Kamal Haasan's remarks. Dismissing the actor's statement as ignorant, the CM said, 'Kannada has a long-standing history. Poor Kamal Haasan, he is unaware of it.' The issue escalated further when Kamal Haasan, addressing the uproar at a separate event, refused to offer an apology. He maintained his position by saying, 'Love will never apologise. I will apologise only if I am wrong. This is my lifestyle. Please don't tamper with it.' Ban threat intensifies amid KFCC support In the latest development, Karnataka Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi echoed calls for a ban on Kamal Haasan's films unless the actor issues a public apology. Supporting this sentiment, KFCC President M Narasimhalu stated that the decision to withhold screenings of 'Thug Life' was taken independently by theatre owners and distributors. As tensions simmer, the film's release in Karnataka remains uncertain.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
It's A Boy! Parambrata Chattopadhyay And Piya Chakraborty Welcome First Child
Actor-director Parambrata Chattopadhyay and his wife, social worker Piya Chakraborty, on Monday announced that they have become parents to a baby boy. The actor, who announced the pregnancy in February, shared the good news on Instagram. What Parambrata Chattopadhyay, whose acting credits includes Bengali films Biye Bibhra and Samantaral, as well as Hindi titles Kahaani and Bulbbul, said he and his wife Piya Chakraborty welcomed their first child. It's a baby boy for the couple, who announced their pregnancy a day after Valentine's Day earlier this year. They tied the knot in 2023. The actor shared a poster with the text, 'It's a Baby Boy, Our hearts are full. Our hands will be fuller! Welcome to the world, Junior! Param & Piya.' In his caption, Parambrata Chattopadhyay wrote, 'As we welcome our first child into this world, we wish to thank each and everyone for their warm wishes and prayers!' He also attached a red heart to the caption. Take a look at Parambrata Chattopadhyay's post below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Parambrata Chattopadhyay (@parambratachattopadhyay) How The Internet Wished The Couple Actress Angana Roy wrote, 'Woohoooo!! Congratulations.' Sandipta Sen said, 'Congratulations Param da and Piya di.' Anindita Bose commented, 'Congratulations, sending lots of love and good wishes.' Raima Sen posted, 'Congratulations,' and shared a bunch of red heart emojis. Loved-Up Pregnancy Announcement On February 15, Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Piya Chakraborty surprised everyone with a sweet pregnancy announcement post. They dropped a bunch of heartwarming pics on Instagram. In the opening frame, we saw the lovebirds sharing a hug. Then, there were images of their furry buddies, their dog Nina and their cat Bagha. They kept it simple in the last photo but exciting: 'Baby on the way.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Piya Chakraborty (@piya_chakraborty) The side note read, 'A bit late to the Valentine's party.. We were busy with this: 1. This is us 2. This is our eldest, Nina 3. Then last year came Bagha 4. Our bubble of love is growing: a human being to join the tribe soon!' In A Nutshell Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Piya Chakraborty got married in November 2023. They announced the arrival of their first child, a baby boy, on June 2. Besides being an actor, Parambrata Chattopadhyay has directed films such as Hawa Bodol, Tiki-Taka, Boudi Canteen and Lorai: Play to Live.
