Latest news with #JayYoung
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Colorado celebrity alligator to be taxidermized to "continue to scare children for years to come"
Colorado celebrity alligator to be taxidermized to "continue to scare children for years to come" Colorado celebrity alligator to be taxidermized to "continue to scare children for years to come" Colorado celebrity alligator to be taxidermized to "continue to scare children for years to come" Colorado recently lost a resident celebrity, an alligator named Morris, famous for several movies and shows, including "Happy Gilmore." Now, his owner is paying tribute to the star so his legacy will live on. In one of the most scenic parts of the state lies Colorado Gators Reptile Park, home to alligators, tortoises, emus, cows and more. But the star of the show was Morris, who died of old age in his "Hollywood" pen earlier this week. Morris Colorado Gators Reptile Park "Happy Gilmore, it was Adam Sandler. Like, that's just nostalgia. That's just my childhood," said owner Jay Young. Young said he's grateful they had Morris for so long and that the alligator lived a happy life with them. "It's hard. We got to know him, got to love him for 20 years. Nineteen years after he left Hollywood," shared Young. "He was old when he left Hollywood and came here, and they said, 'You know, he's old. He might live a year, he might live ten years. He lived 19." The alligator was a staple of a Colorado staple that's been through a rough last few years, between a devastating fire that took the lives of some of their animals, the loss of co-workers, and now, Morris. Colorado Gators Reptile Park Morris made several appearances during his time working in Hollywood, including the movies "Happy Gilmore," "Interview with the Vampire" and "Dr. Doolittle 2." He also featured in an episode of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." He retired in 2006 and was later found in the backyard of a Los Angeles home as an illegal pet. From there, Morris was sent to live at Colorado Gators. The news of Morris's death reached Sandler, who wrote a tribute to his former co-star on social media, saying he learned from Morris to know his worth on set. 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… — Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) May 14, 2025 "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," Sandler quipped. "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." "It wasn't just RIP Morris, it was a comic relief to be honest," Young said with a laugh. CBS Young said Morris will keep teaching, beyond the grave, after his body is taxidermized "so that he can continue to scare children for years to come." "People can go in and see what his teeth feel like and take pictures and things like that," Young explained. CBS The circle of life began anew at Colorado Gators with the recent birth of a baby emu. Death and birth are a part of life, said Young, adding they might name the emu chick Morris in honor of the late star. Young said the best way fans can honor Morris is to stop by and see what's going on at Colorado Gators. But, aside from that, Young encouraged them to support their local animal shelters because they usually need a lot of help.
Toronto Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Alligator that starred in 'Happy Gilmore' dies of old age in Colorado
Published May 14, 2025 • 2 minute read Morris the alligator is pictured with Colorado Gator Farm owner Jay Young in a screengrab of a video posted on Facebook. Photo by Colorado Gator Farm / Facebook Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. DENVER — An alligator that appeared in numerous TV shows and films over about three decades, most notably the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy 'Happy Gilmore,' has died at a gator farm in southern Colorado. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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 metres) 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 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 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' with 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. '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,' Sandler wrote. '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.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. Toronto & GTA Relationships Toronto Maple Leafs Olympics Columnists
Screen Geek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Morris The Alligator From 'Happy Gilmore' Dead At Over 80 Years Old
It may be surprising to learn that an alligator lived a better Hollywood career than some people. This was the case with Morris the Alligator who starred in a variety of films including Alligator and Happy Gilmore . Sadly, it's been confirmed that Morris has died. The exact age of the alligator is unconfirmed, though he's said to have been at least 80 years old. As shared by Jay Young from the Colorado Gator Farm in the below Facebook video, Morris 'started acting strange a week ago. He wasn't looking at us and wasn't taking food.' Young continued to explain: 'I know it's strange to people … that we get so attached to an alligator. To all our animals' we love our cats and dogs, too. It's the worst part of what we do, losing animals. He had a happy time here, and he died of old age.' An additional Facebook video featuring Young includes the following statement about what they plan to do with Morris: '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.' In addition to his appearances in Alligator and Happy Gilmore , Morris also appeared in Alligator II: The Mutation and several other titles including Interview with the Vampire , Blue Brothers 2000 , Eraser , and Dr. Doolittle 2 . He led a career that spanned both the horror and comedy genres. As such, just about anyone who's watched movies probably saw him in something. At the very least, it looks like visitors to the Colorado Gator Farm will still be able to visit Morris and remember him for his incredible size and appearance once he's taxidermied. Similarly, all of his cinematic appearances will further preserve his long life on film and give viewers something to scream or laugh about.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Movie star alligator passes away in Colorado
Morris, an alligator believed to be more than 80 years old and the source of an impressive list of movie and TV credits, passed away last week at the Colorado Gator Farm in southern Colorado. Farm owner and operator Jay Young announced Morris's death in a social media post Sunday. Young sat on the side of an enclosure's pool, stroking the deceased's animal head and tearfully expressing his grief. "He started acting strange a week ago. He wasn't looking at us and wasn't taking food," Young said in the Facebook video. "I know it's strange to we get so attached to an alligator. To all our animals; we love our cats and dogs, too," he added with a chuckle. Colorado Gator Farm owner/operator Jay Young speaks about his attachment to Morris, an alligator which retired to his facility following a movie and television career. Colorado Gator Farm/Facebook Morris was best known for an appearance in the 1996 film "Happy Gilmore." But he also "starred" - in Young's words - in "Alligator 1," "Alligator 2," "Interview with a Vampire," "Dr. Doolittle 2," "Eraser," "Blues Brothers 2000," and other films. Morris also had air time on television shows such as "Coach," "Night Court" and "Jay Leno" - the latter as alongside conservationist and wildlife advocate Steve Irwin. Morris worked in films and television from 1975 to 2006, according to Young. Then he "retired" to Colorado Gator Farm north of Alamosa. "It's the worst part of what we do, losing animals," Young said. "But this isn't as tragic as some of the things we've experienced in the past. He had a happy time here, and he died of old age, and it's not as tragic as some of the family members we've lost here. But that's part of life. Everything that lives must die." Actor Adam Sandler interacts with Morris the alligator in this scene from the 1996 film "Happy Gilmore." Morris passed away recently at the Colorado Gator Farm near Alamosa. Universal Pictures The farm started operations in 1977 as a fish producer. Erwin and Lynne Young purchased the property and started raising tilapia and African perch. A geothermal well on the site naturally maintains the water temperature at 87 degrees, which suits the warm-water species in the colder Colorado environment. The farm is a sort of tropical oasis at all times of the year. As the business grew, the Youngs wrestled with the logistics of large amounts of fish waste (unused body parts, essentially) produced during harvest and processing. They came at the problem in a novel way and acquired their first alligator 10 years after start-up. The new addition became quickly popular, and the Youngs added other alligators, often from rescue situations where the animals outgrew their owners' housing. Morris the alligator at the Colorado Gator Farm in this image published in April. Colorado Gator Farm/Facebook A reptile park was later added to enhance the farm's educational approach for smaller creatures -- baby crocs, snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises. The facility was destroyed in a fire in 2023 and all the animals perished. It was rebuilt and re-opened last year. The farm is open year-round, is ADA accessible, and charges $15 per adult. However, as jokingly stated on the farm's voicemail, "bite-sized" children are admitted at no charge.
