On Feb. 5, movie star Adam Sandler was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award for his role in the new comedy-drama film Jay Kelly, as well as his diversity as an actor at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). Leonard Maltin, a renowned film critic and historian, interviewed Sandler about his career and identity as a comedian.
Sandler, who started his career as a stand-up comedian, has starred in numerous films, including Grown Ups, Happy Gilmore, and the more recent film Happy Gilmore 2.
On the red carpet, Sandler shared with The Forge the balance he tries to maintain between his work and family life while participating in numerous projects. “It’s never easy; everyone works hard, and everyone has to follow their dreams. There is a reason it’s difficult, ” he said.
Sandler significantly highlights how hard work and perseverance have gotten him to where he is currently, as an award-winning, well-renowned actor and producer.
His colleague and friend, Dustin Hoffman, with whom he worked on The Meyerowitz Stories, took the stage as the evening came to a close, presenting Sandler with his award. Hoffman touched on Sandler’s dynamic career and his deservingness of the Maltin Modern Master Award.
Sandler has been in the comedy field since he was 17, and has been a part of the film industry for more than half of that time. His accomplishments have ranged from film to stand-up, which were honored by this award.
Sandler’s acceptance speech included heartfelt thank-you’s woven into a perfected stand-up comedy routine. “Thank you everybody, thank you Dustin. I’m honored to be here tonight accepting this Maltin Modern Master Award,” Sandler said. The crowd laughed and stood throughout his speech, applauding the renowned comedian and actor. “To my mom Judy, thanks for always saying when I was young that I was the best at everything, and that I was going to be a big star someday. Thank you to my dad for saying to my mom what the f*** are you talking about? This kid is a f**king idiot. We will be supporting him until the day we die.”
(Ethan Maday)
