Adam Sandler Pays Tribute To Happy Gilmore Alligator, Dead At Age 80
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm

Happy Gilmore's "Morris the Alligator" Passes Away, Adam Sandler Pays Tribute
The world is mourning the loss of a beloved Hollywood icon: Morris the Alligator, best known for his role in the 1996 comedy *Happy Gilmore*. The alligator, who played a pivotal role in the film, recently passed away at the estimated age of 80.
Morris, who resided at Colorado Gators, was a veteran of the entertainment industry, appearing in various movies and TV shows from 1975 to 2006 before retiring to the sanctuary. His most memorable role was undoubtedly as the alligator responsible for biting off the hand of Chubbs Peterson (played by the late Carl Weathers) in *Happy Gilmore*. This pivotal scene significantly impacted the film's plot and became a memorable moment for fans.
News of Morris's passing reached his former co-star, Adam Sandler, who took to social media to express his condolences. Sandler's heartfelt tribute highlighted Morris's impact on the film and his unique personality on set. Sandler humorously recalled Morris's demanding nature, including the need for 40 heads of lettuce to coax him out of his trailer.
The original *Happy Gilmore* continues to be a fan favorite, available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming sequel, *Happy Gilmore 2*, slated to premiere on Netflix on July 25th. The sequel will see the return of Sandler and other original cast members, including Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald, and will feature new stars like Ben Stiller, Travis Kelcie, and Bad Bunny.
BNN's Perspective: While it's a bit unusual to mourn an alligator, Morris's passing is a reminder of the enduring impact of *Happy Gilmore* and the memorable characters that made it a classic. It's a testament to the film's success that even the "villain" alligator is mourned by fans and remembered fondly by the cast.
Keywords: Adam Sandler, Happy Gilmore, Morris the Alligator, Carl Weathers, Colorado Gators, Happy Gilmore 2, Netflix, comedy, movie, alligator, tribute, obituary, film, Sandler, Chubbs Peterson, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller, Travis Kelcie, Bad Bunny.