Adam Sandler Reveals How Bob Barker Was Cast in Happy Gilmore

In 1996's sports comedy film, Happy Gilmore has many iconic moments, but one of the most unexpected appearances in the film was of longtime TV and game show host Bob Barker appeared as himself to not just play golf with Adam Sandler's titular character but also throw fists with him. It is one of those castings that worked great in the film but makes you wonder how the whole thing came about. In a recent interview with Collider's own Steven Weintraub, Sandler provided some insight on how the whole deal with Barker came together.

The recent interview with Sandler and Jennifer Aniston was for the upcoming comedy film Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix, which is now streaming and stars the duo. During the interview, Weintraub brings up the shirt that he is wearing, which depicts a photo of Barker's face from the scene in Happy Gilmore where he and Gilmore get into a fight. After the actor provides some context of what is happening in the scene shown on the shirt, he is asked if he remembers the process that went into Barker's casting, to which Sandler explained that the role was originally written for someone else: fellow longtime TV host and announcer Ed McMahon. When the plan for McMahon's inclusion fell through, the team jokingly wondered if Barker would do it. though they didn't expect him to, they brought him in when he showed interest. Sandler even goes on to explain that the main reason Barker joined the cast was that he wanted to be able to get into a fistfight.

"We… and Bob knows this. We initially wrote it for Ed McMahon. Ed McMahon said he was busy and we, we were, we were like, imagine if Bob Barker did it, he'll never do it. Next thing you know, Bob Barker, whose neighbor was Chuck Norris at the time and Chuck and Bob used to spar, was like, ‘Yeah, if I get to fight, if I get to throw punches, I'm doing it.’

The Legacy of Bob Barker

Barker's appearance in Happy Gilmore is just a small detail in his long, storied, and celebrated TV career. The 19-Daytime Emmy Award winner is most well known for being the host of The Price is Right for over three decades from 1972 to 2007 and even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. When it comes to his appearance in the Sandler-starring film, the two have reunited several times to recreate the scene over the years. Despite the two always "fighting," Sandler did confirm to Weintraub that they "get along now."

Murder Mystery 2 is now streaming on Netflix. You can check out our clip of Sandler discussing Barker's role in Happy Gilmore in the player above.

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[bluebear]

The movie wouldn't have been as good if Ed McMahon said yes. Bob was definitely the right person for it.

[Awholekit]

The face she makes when he says "ed was busy"....she was like "what handing out gaint checks or something" 😂

[chasehedges]

The scene where Adam Sandler starts cursing and swearing after missing the hole is hilarious.

[chasehedges]

Adam Sandler is an absolute legend and comedian and Happy Gilmore is a comedy classic.

[bobbyb.]

Sandler, Farley, Spade, C. Rock, Schneider, K. James, etc. As a teen in the late 90's, these guys were AMAZING!!

[wesleytrent]

When Jennifer said "What is that picture" (on the shirt), Adam should have freaked out and said "Are you frickin kiddin me! You haven't seen Happy frickin Gilmore! as he choked her!

[TurboJimbo]

Reminds me of summer camp in New Hampshire !!! We’re cruising over to Jo Jo’s so hit Pinky’s and hang out by tennis courts, DIG IT !!! 👍👍

[nathanslay]

Happy Gilmore is an American comedy classic!! Happy Gilmore is such a comedy masterpiece!

[laurence]

Trained by Chuck Norris. Is it any wonder how he won the fight?

[jamiepeterson]

Is it just me or is there a problem with Jennifer Aniston because she looks disoriented and confused.

[wjmoore]

Jennifer Aniston has obviously never seen Happy Gilmore.

[nextbarker]

I never knew it was pitched to Ed McMahon.

[feranard]

Bob Barker was neighbors with and a sparring partner for Chuck Norris?!

No wonder he kicked Adam Sandler’s ass.

[jessyleppert]

Ed McMahon did accept the part but when he learned that the movie had more crude humor and when he learned he was supposed to lose the fight, he said no thank you.

[TortillaGrounds]

Jennifer didn't even watch the movie i can tell.

[PlagueDoctorL]

Jennifer chose an interesting look for her new face.

[TheMensRoom]

Well with his neighbor being Chuck Norris. At least Bob Barker knows that nobody was breaking into his house. The neighborhood had to fill secure with Chuck Norris living there.

[BlueDroneBlues]

"God! I hate that Bob Barker!" - Happy

[techwiz]

How high is Jennifer Aniston in this interview

[georgemallory]

Jennifer Aniston detracted from this experience. Phony person vibes.