Latest news with #MaxwellJacobFriedman
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Happy Gilmore's Movie Sons Recall Working with 'Hero' Adam Sandler on Sequel (Exclusive)
Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Philip Schneider, Ethan Cutkosky and Conor Sherry, who played Happy's rowdy sons in the film, also shared who they were most excited to meet amid the sequel's star-studded list of cameos. For Adam Sandler's on-screen sons, meeting their hero was every bit as amazing as they imagined it to be. TooFab spoke with Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Philip Schneider, Ethan Cutkosky and Conor Sherry ahead of the release of Happy Gilmore 2, the sequel to the fan-favorite 1996 comedy, where they discussed working with Sandler, revealed which A-listers they met on set and what it means to be a part of a piece of "Americana." "We all pretty much grew up with it. It came out the literal year I was born, so I watched it a bazillion times with my dad. And I know that all of us love the movie," Friedman gushed of the OG classic. "I mean, I rewatched it, obviously. But it was interesting to watch through a different lens," Sherry added. "And be like, OK, we're going to really be out there and trying to understand a bit of the background of our dad. It's weird to have -- to do something and it's like, that's our dad, but then we can go watch a whole movie about. him and know his whole thing, and jump into the second one." It was easy for the foursome to get into character, with Cutkosky telling TooFab their rowdy dynamic ended up being the same both "on and off set." He continued, "I think by the time that like that first week happened and we were hanging out, it just ended up being that same similar vibe anytime we were all together. It was loud. It was rambunctious. It was immature and amazing." Their great chemistry ended up translating in their dealings with Sandler as well, with group, who play the fictional sons of Happy and his wife, Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen), learning some invaluable lessons from their on-screen dad. "He was he was awesome ... I mean he's a legend," Schneider gushed. "We woke up watching him in his movies, and, they sort of say, like, 'Don't meet your heroes,' and I think we all met our hero and were all so pleasantly surprised by just the wonderful man that he is, and how he carried himself in this crazy role, and how he's carried himself throughout his whole career so it was such a blessing to be on set with him for four or five months." "He just picks good people. I mean, everyone around him is like -- that's how I would describe the whole experience is good people," Sherry added. "Like, his family's incredible, his immediate family, his film family, his movie family. I'm like, everyone's just like good people, so, it was really good time." Sandler's inclusion of his longtime friends and fellow funny men in the film -- i.e. Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Kevin Nealon and more -- didn't get lost on this group either, with that through line being something they all admire about the celebrated actor. "He's a good human being, because he's, taking his friends with him along on this ride yeah all his friends are insanely talented, but, like, he's always looking to try to find a spot and help somebody that he loves and cares about," Friedman said. They got to meet some of those famous faces as well, with the A-list cast including the likes of Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, Ben Stiller, Margaret Qualley and few surprise cameos you'll have to watch to see. "We met everyone that was pretty much on set," Sherry shared. Cutkosky added, "I was fanning out over Bad Bunny a little bit. I was a little hyped about that one. But, you know, you get to see everybody and it's just cool to see everybody just on Adam's set hanging out, you know, relaxed." It served as a "holy s--t" moment for Friedman to not only see so much star power in one place, but be a part of the lasting legacy that is Happy Gilmore. "There wasn't a single person that showed up that wasn't so incredibly enthusiastic to be there. It didn't matter what your star power was, what your level of star power was," Friedman stressed. "You're just like, holy s--t, I'm going to be a part of what's essentially a part of Americana in Happy Gilmore. It was incredible." Happy Gilmore 2 premieres July 25 on Netflix. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Happy Gilmore 2' cast celebrates rapper Eminem's comic chops
NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Adam Sandler and the actors who play his sons in Happy Gilmore 2 are praising rapper Eminem for his surprise comic appearance in the long-awaited movie sequel. "Eminem is funny as hell," Sandler captioned a video of outtakes featuring the hip-hop star that he shared on social media Friday. In the sequel's final golf game, Eminem plays a bucket-hatted heckler, the son of a similar-looking trouble-maker played by the late comedian Joe Flaherty in the 1996 original. Happy (Sandler) ultimately wins, earning the $300,000 he needs to send his only daughter Vienna (Sunny Sandler) to a prestigious Parisian dance school. The actors who played Gilmore's rambunctious adult sons said getting to beat up Eminem and throw him into an alligator-infested pond was a highlight of the movie, which is now streaming on Netflix. "That was a nuts day," pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman, who plays Happy's eldest son Gordy, told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "When I work out, Eminem is my go-to [music] over and over and over again. He has created some of the best pump-up music in the history of music ever, point blank," Friedman said. "So, I'm just standing there and I'm like: 'Wait, I'm beating up Eminem with my closest friends on this random day? OK, sign me up!'" Friedman said the hip-hop icon didn't just film is scene and make a quick exit. "Not only was he a good sport, he stayed way later and he was like, 'Let me try to do a different take and say something different there,' and he improvised so many different lines while he was in the water with the gators," Friedman added. "He's something else." Philip Fine Schneider, who plays Gordy's brother Bobby, chimed in: "He was, literally in the water, which is crazy. I didn't even think he was going to be in the water. I was like, 'Oh, it will be a body double or whatever.' But he was in there and wanted to be in there and wanted to stay. It was great." Friedman said the professional behavior of Eminem and the rest of the big stars who had cameos in the film was a great example for the younger members of the cast. "The big takeaway was the fact that, no matter who the person was that came on to set -- big or small -- everybody put in 110 percent and was just so amped to be a part of the project, so it was really inspiring stuff," Friedman added. Conor Sherry, who plays Terry, said he and the actors who played his siblings were all honored to help carry on the Happy Gilmore legacy. "it was everything," Sherry said. "We had high expectations, obviously. Adam's reputation is so great and he exceeded it in every way. To be able to do something and learn so much is such a joyous [experience,]" he added. "It was a full-fledged master class, more than you could ever learn in any classroom or college. I'm pro-college, but Adam Sandler taught us a lot." "To have such a chill environment and to be able to also learn so much at the same time and have it not feel forced was just really cool," Friedman said. The brothers' constantly fight and talk over each other, but they also are protective of and affectionate with their widower dad and little sister. "They're, basically, just the exact same copies in a certain way. I feel like we all have the same IQ," Ethan Cutkosky, who plays Wayne, said with a laugh. "When we're together, we can collectively solve some math equations." Schneider added, "We're bonded by love. We beat the [expletive] out of each other, but we love each other." "When Happy's down, it's on us to lift our father up," Schneider said. "There are a lot of moments I think will hit home with people, who have parents or parental figures who are struggling," Friedman said. "You get to watch the kids go through the same exact roller coaster that Happy is going through. When he's up, we're up," he added. "When he's down, we're down, but we're rooting for him the entire way through and I think it's such a beautiful thing as far as unconditional love goes." Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
AEW's MJF Praises Unpopular WWE Business Practice
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AEW star MJF has shared his thoughts on WWE running shows head-to-head against his home promotion. In a recent interview, MJF said that he views the practice not as a petty move, but as a savvy business decision. Speaking with TV Insider, the former AEW World Champion gave credit to WWE's leadership for their competitive tactics. He stated that if he were in their position, he would do the same thing. It's Business, Not Personal Rather than showing frustration, MJF explained that he respects the move from a business perspective. He believes that any company should do what is necessary to "stomp out" its competition. "I think it's a smart business practice," MJF said. "I give jolly old St. Nick [Khan] and Trips [Triple H] a whole lot of credit. At the end of the day, if you can stomp out your competition, you're doing what is necessary. Lord knows I would." He added that while some may view WWE's scheduling as a coincidence, he believes it is a deliberate and calculated business strategy. "They're not doing this by happenstance," he stated. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A History Of Wrestling "Wars" The concept of "counter-programming" is deeply rooted in wrestling history. The most famous example is the "Monday Night Wars" from 1995 to 2001, when WWE's Monday Night Raw went head-to-head with WCW's Monday Nitro. The intense competition, which included tactics like giving away taped results and talent jumping between companies, is often seen as the creative and commercial peak of the industry. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18,... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18, 2023 at AEW Full Gear. More Photo bySince AEW's launch in 2019, a new, smaller-scale war has emerged. The two promotions first went head-to-head during the "Wednesday Night War," when AEW Dynamite consistently beat WWE's NXT in the ratings, forcing NXT to move to Tuesday nights in 2021. A Timeline of Competition Since the end of the Wednesday Night War, WWE has continued to schedule programming and events opposite AEW's major shows. In October 2023, a "Supersized" episode of NXT, featuring major stars like John Cena and Cody Rhodes, went directly against Dynamite and won the ratings battle. On multiple occasions, WWE has scheduled premium live events like NXT Battleground on the same weekend as AEW's flagship Double or Nothing pay-per-view. This trend continues this coming weekend. AEW will present its massive All In: Texas stadium show on Saturday, July 12. On that same day, WWE will be airing two premium live events: Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC and The Great American Bash on Peacock. While AEW President Tony Khan has criticized these moves in the past, MJF clearly sees the competition as a sign of respect. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Over 9 AEW stars were released in 2025. Check full list
More than nine top names associated with All Elite Wrestling, WWE's rival platform, have been released by the franchise, multiple reports say. While some left after their contracts with the franchise expired, others were cut off by the franchise for one reason or another. Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman at the AEW. (Photo: Maxwell Jacob Friedman on X)(Twitter) Unlike Vince McMahon's WWE, AEW has refrained from releasing wrestlers under contract, as long as they continue to fulfill all legal conditions. For instance, wrestler Bear Boulder was released by the franchise in January 2025 after he was arrested for battery by strangulation. Most of the other departures have been by mutual consent. Here is a list of wrestlers who have departed the franchise in 2025. AEW Wrestlers Released In 2025: Full List -Maria Kanellis – Former WWE strong voice, left AEW in Jan 2025 after health challenges. - Ricky Starks (now Ricky Saints) – Exited in Feb 2025 and signed with WWE NXT. -Miro (a.k.a. Rusev) – Departed in Feb 2025 by mutual agreement. -Malakai Black – Contract expired in February 2025. Rejoined WWE. -Rey Fenix – Released by mutual agreement in Mar 2025. -Dutch &Vincent (The Righteous) – The duo of Dutch and Vincent were removed from the AEW roster in April 2025. Also read: Cody Rhodes wins King of the Ring tournament: Could controversial victory convert final into four-way match? -Bear Boulder – Bear Boulder was let go by tyhe franchise in January 2025 due to legal issues (battery/strangulation). -Bear Bronson- Bronson's contract was not released in June 2025, as a byproduct of Bear Boulder's arrest and release by AEW, as per a report by WhatCulture. -Saraya - She departed AEW in March 2025 by mutual consent despite her contract running through 2025. She and Tony Khan, the president of AEW, reportedly came into an agreement on her early departure. -Abadon: His contract expired at the end of May 2025. He said that it won't be renewed. WWE Star To Join AEW Former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Isla Dawn is reportedly heading to AEW, according to a report by WrestleVotes. The report indicates that AEW has expressed strong interest in signing the recently released WWE star. Adding to the speculation, Dawn was recently seen backstage at an AEW taping, fueling rumors that a deal may be imminent.
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
AEW Star MJF Reportedly Involved In Scary Fan Incident
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. According to a report by Fightful Select, a fan confronted top AEW star MJF at his hotel following the historic Grand Slam: Mexico event. The incident underscores the intense heat the former world champion generated during the show. Sources within AEW claimed that a fan "went after" MJF after the event in Mexico City. The report notes that MJF was unharmed and laughed the situation off. A History Of Generating Real Heat MJF has built his entire career on being one of the most effective heels in modern professional wrestling. He consistently blurs the lines between his on-screen character and reality to provoke fans. This dedication to his craft has led to some of AEW's most memorable moments. This includes his lengthy and controversial reign as AEW World Champion and the infamous "Bidding War of 2024" storyline. This latest incident appears to be another example of his success in generating a genuine, emotional response from the audience. He was reportedly proud of the interaction. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18,... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18, 2023 at AEW Full Gear. More Photo byThe Grand Slam: Mexico Angle The fan's anger was likely fueled by MJF's actions during the Grand Slam: Mexico show at the legendary Arena México. There, he faced off against the beloved lucha libre icon, Mistico. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation As a member of the villainous Hurt Syndicate faction, MJF used antagonistic tactics to defeat the national hero in his home country. This was designed to create maximum animosity from the passionate live crowd. AEW officials were reportedly very happy with the success of the event. His career is headlined by a historic, record-setting 406-day reign as the AEW World Champion, during which he defended the title against top stars like Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega. A unique achievement, MJF dominated the Dynamite Diamond Ring battle royale for four consecutive years (2019-2022), using the prize as both a status symbol and a weapon. His championship collection also includes a run as the self-proclaimed "AEW American Champion" (formerly the International Championship) and an ROH World Tag Team Championship reign with Adam Cole. Beyond titles, his career is defined by critically acclaimed rivalries against legends like CM Punk and Chris Jericho, earning him multiple awards for his charisma and promo skills. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
