Sandler Twain Prize winner
Adam Sandler brought his trademark loopy but charming sense of humor to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday night, as he was recognized for three decades of writing, acting and directing with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
“As I look at this goofy award, I can’t help but think that one day it just might be the weapon used to bludgeon me to death,” Sandler said during his acceptance speech.
He is the 24th comic to be awarded one of the industry’s top honors, which has annually celebrated a heavyweight in American comedy.
Sandler, 56, thanked his friends and family for helping build his confidence throughout his career, which began performing stand-up five nights a week in New York City and led to leading roles in blockbuster comedies like “Grown Ups” and “Big Daddy.” Several of Sunday night’s speakers, including comics and actors such as Judd Apatow, Steve Buscemi and David Spade, poked fun at the parade of Sandler’s films that were panned by critics.
A comic, actor, filmmaker and singer, Sandler starred in movies that have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, and he has stacked up dozens of credits as a producer and screenwriter. He became a household name with a leading role 1995’s “Billy Madison” and later took on sports comedies and popular romantic comedies like 1998’s “The Wedding Singer” with Drew Barrymore and 2011’s “Just Go With It” with Jennifer Aniston, both of whom praised him onstage Sunday night.
Idina Menzel, another former co-star, dressed as “Opera Man,” a character from Sandler’s days as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” in the early 1990s, and serenaded Sandler.
Sandler has won critical acclaim for his recent dramatic work, including 2022’s “Hustle,” and 2019’s dark comedy-drama, “Uncut Gems.”
The ceremony will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Sunday on CNN.