Mark Twain Prize for Comedy Awarded to Adam Sandler

Entertainment

By Richard Pollina

March 20, 2023 | 5:57am

A giant honor for “Big Daddy.”

Comedy megastar Adam Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor throughout a star-filled ceremony at Washington’s Kennedy Center Sunday night time.

A prolonged record of a few of his Hollywood co-stars and fellow comedy icons had been in attendance, together with Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien, Judd Apatow, Ben Stiller, Steve Buscemi, Luis Guzmán, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider, and David Spade.

Sandler, 56, thanked his household and pals for serving to and supporting him over his multi-decade profession that began with open mics and fashioned into million-dollar blockbuster motion pictures.

“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 joked throughout his acceptance speech.

Sandler’s “50 First Dates” and “The Wedding Singer” co-star Drew Barrymore referred to as him “a national treasure” when requested how she felt about him being honored for his comedy chops.

“Every award that was ever created on the planet should go to Adam,” Barrymore expressed.

Steve Buscemi, who acted alongside Sandler in movies like “Mr. Deeds” and “Billy Madison,” praised the famend comic for his musical strategy to comedy.

“His comedy songs alone deserve this reward,” Buscemi stated.

Judd Apatow, who was roommates with Sandler in Los Angeles whereas they had been kicking off their careers, by no means doubted that he would rise to fame as a comedy legend.

“The moment you met him, you knew Adam was going to be a big star,” Apatow shared.

Sandler started his profession as a standup comedian earlier than changing into a family title as a solid member of “Saturday Night Live” from 1991 to 1996 and went on to realize much more recognition as a humorous man with a prolonged profession on the massive display screen with over 30 motion pictures underneath his belt.

Tim Herlihy, who was Sandler’s NYU roommate and has been his longtime writing and manufacturing associate, joked the duo had made “31 motion pictures with a combined Rotten Tomatoes score of 59.”

Though motion pictures like “The Wedding Singer,” “Big Daddy,” and “The Waterboy” struggled to resonate with film critics, his strategy to comedy is in style with followers, along with his movies grossing over $3 billion worldwide.

He has additionally obtained reward for his dramatic performing in “Uncut Gems” and “Punch Drunk Love.”

Sandler’s 1996 double platinum album “What the Hell Happened to Me?” — which options the novelty Hanukkah music “The Chanukah Song” — is likely one of the most-sold comedy albums of all time.

“It’s just a part of my life that I never expected to happen, and it’s nice that my family and friends get to say that goofy guy Adam won a Mark Twain award,” Sandler stated.

With Sandler receiving The Mark Twain Prize, he joins the ranks of fellow SNL solid members Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Will Farrell, Tina Fey, Billy Crystal, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who had been beforehand honored for his or her humor.

The ceremony shall be broadcast nationally on March 26.