Happy Gilmore 2’s Adam Sandler Explains [Spoiler]’s Death in Sequel

Adam Sandler recently opened up about a major character death in Happy Gilmore 2 and its emotional impact. In a new interview, Sandler and Tim Herlihy said they built the story around grief and aging. They also spoke about honoring late actor Cameron Boyce with a tribute. The pair reflected on the sequel’s overwhelming debut success on Netflix.

WARNING: Spoilers below!

Adam Sandler on why Virginia had to die in Happy Gilmore 2

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Adam Sandler explained, “We just knew we needed Happy to have to overcome something in this story. There’s nothing more painful than losing someone you love.” He said the character’s death shows Happy’s deep grief and unwavering dedication, noting, “He would never be able to move on from it and the love he had for her.”

Herlihy confirmed that killing off Julie Bowen’s character was a “real sacrifice,” stating, “We were really looking forward to seeing her… but as Adam was saying, the story kind of demanded it.” The decision reflects a more mature story for an older Happy facing personal loss.

The film includes a tribute to Cameron Boyce, Sandler’s late co-star who died from an epileptic seizure at 20. Sandler shared, “He felt like a family member to us… We said, ‘Might as well throw Cameron in there. He’s the man. Keep him part of our family.’” Boyce appears briefly on a television screen in the film, a nod meant to honor his legacy within Sandler’s circle.

Happy Gilmore 2 debuted on Netflix with 46.7 million views in three days, becoming its biggest U.S. film launch. The original Happy Gilmore also re-entered the charts with 11.4 million views, ranking No. 3 that weekend. Despite this success, Herlihy said there are no current discussions about a third film, stating, “I haven’t even thought about it in the privacy of my own brain.”

Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.