Adam Sandler honored his Happy Gilmore co-star Morris, an alligator who appeared in the 1996 comedy, following his death. The actor shared a lengthy tribute to Morris, who retired to the Colorado Gator Farm in 2006 after appearing in numerous films.
“Goodbye, Morris,” Sandler wrote on X. “We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that’s who you were.”
He continued, “I know your character’s decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.”
The Colorado Gator Farm confirmed they didn’t know Morris’ age, but his career in Hollywood dates back to the ’70s. “Morris was known for his work in many movies and TV shows from 1975 to 2006, when he retired to live out his days at Colorado Gators,” the farm shared in a statement. “His exact age was unknown, but he was nine feet long in 1975 and by his growth rate and tooth loss, we can estimate his age at over 80 years. While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age. RIP Morris.”
Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce… pic.twitter.com/iQlkne4fwJ
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) May 14, 2025
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Along with his memorable role in Happy Gilmore, Morris appeared in films like Interview With the Vampire, Dr. Doolittle 2, and Blues Brothers 2000. He also starred as a killer alligator in 1980’s Alligator and its 1991 sequel, Alligator II: The Mutation.
Sandler is preparing to release Happy Gilmore 2 this summer on Netflix, but it sounds like Morris won’t be part of it. The long-awaited sequel, out July 25, brings back Sandler’s titular character, as well as Julie Bowen’s Virginia Venit and Christopher McDonald’s Shooter McGavin. It will feature appearances by Travis Kelce, Conor Sherry, Ethan Cutkosky, Blake Clark, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
From Rolling Stone US
