Actor Adam Sandler Pays Tribute To Bob Barker Following His Death At Age 99
Bob Barker passed away on Saturday (August 26) at the age of 99. His representative, Roger Neal, confirmed the news in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce that the World’s Greatest MC who ever lived, Bob Barker, has left us,” Neal said.
RELATED: BOB BARKER, BELOVED HOST OF “THE PRICE IS RIGHT,” DIES AT 99
Barker was most well-known for serving as the longtime host of the game shows Truth or Consequences and The Price is Right. He hosted the former show for 19 years and the latter for 35.
Who Can Ever Forget Bob Barker’s Role In Happy Gilmore?
In 1996, Barker made his feature film debut in the Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore. Barker played himself in the film, and competed against Happy Gilmore (played by Sandler) in a celebrity golf tournament.
The two men do not get along, and wind up in a fight. Barker seems to have the upper hand at first, as he throws a fierce series of punches. But Gilmore nearly emerges victorious after they tumble down a hill and he headbutts Barker. Though Barker puts him in his place by the end of their altercation.
Sandler told Collider they initially wrote the part for Ed McMahon, but he couldn’t do it. They thought it would be hilarious if Barker would do it instead, but never imagined he would.
“…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.'”
Bob Barker & Adam Sandler Won An Award For Their Happy Gilmore Fight
Barker was only in Happy Gilmore for a few minutes, but those minutes were memorable. He and Sandler ended up winning the 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. They beat iconic action stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme in the process.
“Nobody had heard of Adam Sandler until I beat him up,” Barker once joked.
Happy Gilmore introduced Barker to a whole new generation of fans. It also helped him establish a decades-long friendship with Sandler, who he reunited with many times through the years.
Read Adam Sandler’s Tribute To Bob Barker After His Death
After Barker died, Sandler took to social media to pay tribute to his onscreen foe and real-life friend. He said:
“The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!”
Look below to see Sandler’s tribute to Barker. It’s clear how much he’ll miss him.