Adam Sandler will receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, cementing his legacy as a comedy icon.
The A-list funnyman, 56, who recently recovered from hip surgery, was announced as the 24th recipient of the award, which is widely considered to be one of the highest honors a comedian can achieve.
Sandler joins an illustrious pantheon of comedy legends as past winners include Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Lily Tomlin and Whoopi Goldberg, just to name a few.
Comedy glory: Adam Sandler, 56, will receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, cementing his legacy as a comedy icon. The A-list funnyman was announced as the 24th recipient of the award, which is widely considered to be one of the highest honors a comedian can achieve
‘Adam Sandler has entertained audiences for over three decades with his films, music, and his tenure as a fan favorite cast member on SNL,’ said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter.
Her statement concluded: ‘Adam has created characters that have made us laugh, cry, and cry from laughing.’
According to the Kennedy Center, the annual award is meant to recognize artists ‘who have had an impact on American society,’ echoing the influence of legendary humorist Mark Twain.
With 57 films under his belt and a box office scorecard totaling over $3 billion worldwide, Sandler’s polarizing career appears to have transcended a long period of critical derision and has officially entered a new phase of lasting respect.
Polarizing career: Sandler’s career appears to have transcended a long period of critical derision and has officially entered a new phase of lasting respect; seen in Click
Box office heavyweight: After exploding on SNL in 1990 at the age of 23, Sandler (pictured on SNL in 1991) went on to have a thriving film career in Hollywood as a comedy star, cultivating a large and devoted fanbase. But critics have largely reviled his past film work
After exploding on SNL in 1990 at the age of 23, Sandler went on to have a thriving film career in Hollywood as a comedy star, cultivating a large and devoted fanbase.
Some of his early hits were Billy Madison, Big Daddy, Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer, establishing Sandler as a juggernaut of the genre when it came to box office receipts, but not necessarily when it came to critical reviews.
Many critics have reviled much of Sandler’s past film work, helping him amass an astounding nine Golden Rasberry Awards – the exact opposite of an Oscar – and 37 nominations.
None of this has affected the Hubie Halloween star’s ability to pull big paydays in Hollywood as he extended his lucrative deal with Netflix in 2020, securing a reported $250 million for four more films.
Drenched in green: Critical derision has never affected the Hubie Halloween star’s ability to pull big paydays in Hollywood as he extended his lucrative deal with Netflix in 2020, securing a reported $250 million for four more films
A big hit for these stars: With Drew Barrymore in The Wedding Singer in 1997
But the last few years have seen Sandler reinvent himself as a dramatic actor.
The Ridiculous 6 star achieved critical acclaim for 2019’s Uncut Gems and he recently scored glowing reviews for his performance in this year’s basketball drama film Hustle.
In addition to his thriving career in Hollywood, Sandler has been married to his stunning wife Jackie, 48, for nearly 20 years.
The couple share two teenage daughters – 16-year-old Sadie and 14-year-old Sunny.
‘We try to make each other laugh, try to listen, try to include each other, try to support each other,’ the star explained to AARP this year.
Opening up about the secret to his long-lasting marriage, Adam said: ‘We don’t ever think of not being together. We always talk about our future together.’
Now he has it all: The last few years have seen Sandler reinvent himself as a dramatic actor capable of turning in stellar performances. He is also the gold standard in Hollywood when it comes to being a devoted family man, sustaining a 20-year marriage and sharing two teenage daughters
