They're All Gonna Laugh

Background:

Outstanding comedic actor Adam Sandler was first launched to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Life from 1990 to 1995. More recent work included starring opposite Drew Barrymore in the box-office hit 50 First Dates. The movie was such a success that it earned a gross of $45.1 million in just four days.

A prolific musician, Sandler has released five comedy albums that include several classical songs like The Chanukah Song and The Thanksgiving Song. His first LP, They're All Gonna Laugh at You (1993), was an instant triumph which received both gold certification and a Grammy nomination.

Although once linked to actress Alicia Silverstone and engaged to cosmetic-company manager Margareth Ruden, Sandler decided to settle down with model Jackie Titone. Sandler and Titone were married in June of 2003.

Family Clown

Childhood and Family:

In Brooklyn, New York, Adam Richard Sandler was born on September 9, 1966. Son to Jewish parents, Judy and Stan Sandler (ex-electrical engineer), Adam was actually raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. Sandler was the clown among his siblings which include brother Scott (lawyer) and older sisters Elizabeth (dentist) and Valerie (food industry employee) and in the classroom. He attended Manchester Central High School in Manchester and the New York University, New York, New York, where he holds a BA in Fine Arts.

After a long relationship with model Jackie Titone (born 1974) the couple finally married on June 22, 2003.

"It's important I surround myself with people who make me happy." Adam Sandler

Richest Buffoon

Career:

A natural clown, Adam Sandler had no intentions of becoming a comedian. This changed when his brother convinced him to compete in an amateur night in a Boston comedy club. The then seventeen-year-old Sandler performed surprisingly well. Sandler then took up his studies at the New York University and was later rewarded with a recurring role on MTV's game show Remote Control. He also maintained a regular gig playing Theo's Friend Smitty (1984) on the TV series The Cosby Show. Sandler's first film appearance would take place the 1989's Going Overboard.

Discovered at a comedy club in L.A. by Dennis Miller, a Saturday Night Life cast member, Sandler soon nabbed a role that would be the first to catapult him toward fame. From 1990 to 1995 Sandler entertained audiences with such characters like Cajun Man, Opera Man and Canteen Boy. Sandler was also cast in Shakes the Clown (1991), Mixed Nuts and Coneheads (1993).

In 1993 Sandler landed a recording contract with Warner Brothers and soon released his debut comedy LP, They're All Gonna Laugh at You. The album was played heavily on the air, went certified gold, and achieved a Grammy nomination.

Sandler received his first lead role in the movie Billy Madison (1995). With his never-ending wit, films continued to come his way. Some of the highlight films in his career include Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998, opposite Drew Barrymore), The Water Boy (1998), Big Daddy (1999) and Little Nicky (2000). Sandler costarred with Winona Ryder in Mr. Deeds (2002) and with Emily Watson in Punch-Drunk Love (2002). In 2003 Sandler starred with film legend Jack Nicholson in the popular comedy Anger Management and then in 2004 was reunited with Drew Barrymore for the romantic comedy 50 First Dates.

Earning $320 million from his work in the films, Sandler may be the richest comedian. Guinness World Record (2003) included him in their stats as the highest-paid actor, with earnings of $47 million in the year 2001 alone.

Following his first album's hit, Sandler released his sophomore EP in early 1996, titled What the Hell Happened to Me? The album broke into the Top 20 and went platinum. Three years later, his third disc, Stan and Judy's Kid (1999), was launched. Sandler's albums have spawned memorable classic songs like The Chanukah Song, The Thanksgiving Song, The Lonesome Kicker, Lunchlady Land and Red Hooded Sweatshirt. Recently in 2004, Sandler released his latest album, Shhh... Don't Tell.

A comedian first, singer second, Sandler is also a producer. He started his own production company, Happy Madison, as well as the animation company, Meatball.

"I'm just a buffoon. That's all. I look in the mirror, I see a buffoon. That's all I want to see." Adam Sandler.

Awards:

• MTV Movie: Best Fight, Happy Gilmore; shared with Bob Barker, 1996
• ShowEast: Comedy Star of the Year, 1997
• MTV Movie: Best Kiss, The Wedding Singer; shared with Drew Barrymore, 1998
• ShoWest: Comedy Star of the Year, 1999
• MTV Movie: Best Comedic Performance, The Waterboy, 1999