Adam Sandler Honors ‘Happy Gilmore’ Co-Star Carl Weathers at Postmortem Walk of Fame Ceremony
Without Chubbs Peterson, Happy Gilmore could never have become a golf champion, but without Adam Sandler, the late Carl Weathers’ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony would feel incomplete.
On February 2, 2024, Weathers passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In the following weeks, seemingly the entire entertainment industry took turns eulogizing the brawny, macho, mustachioed action star and former NFL player, but for all the mentions of Apollo Creed, Predator and Weathers’ contributions in the Star Wars universe, perhaps the most underappreciated aspect of Weathers’ career in the days following his death was his impeccable comedic acting ability, as demonstrated in films like Sandler’s Happy Gilmore.
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Today, the Hollywood Walk of Fame will honor Weathers with a posthumous star placed on its iconic sidewalk stretch, and many of Weathers’ old co-stars and collaborators have submitted tribute videos for the ceremony as they remotely pay their respects to the late legend. Among those who shared their kind words via pre-recorded message was Sandler, who simply had to give his old golf coach a hand.
“He was built like a truck, cool as hell and handsome as hell,” Sandler said of his Happy Gilmore co-star, adding that, while shooting the iconic golf comedy, Weathers was “so sweet to us and helped us relax immediately.”
Along with Sandler, Rocky writer and star Sylvester Stallone, whose acting Weathers famously and accidentally insulted during the latter’s audition for the role of Apollo Creed, said of Weathers’ contribution to the boxing film franchise, “He showed up at the eleventh hour with all the attributes: the body, the skill, the soul and the acting chops.” Stallone then touchingly admitted, “I never could have accomplished what we did with Rocky without him. He was magic.”
Thankfully, Sandler wasn’t the only representative from the comedy community to speak on Weathers’ most underrated talent. David Cross, who appeared in many unforgettable scenes in Arrested Development across from Weathers as the late star played a hilariously stingy version of himself, said of Weathers’ behind-the-scenes demeanor, “He was a cool dude, and there’s nothing Hollywood about him at all.”
Cross best summarized Weathers’ unique career in both serious and comedic acting by saying, “I’ve seen other dramatic actors try to be funny, and it’s uncomfortable and awkward.” Cross added, “This role was probably harder than playing Apollo Creed. He came on to the crazy and silly show and didn’t try to be funny, he knew it already was over-the-top and funny so he played his role with subtlety.”
I just hope that the Hollywood Walk of Fame provides craft services today — the event would feel incomplete if not one attendee will be able to get a stew going.
