At the New York premiere of Happy Gilmore 2 on July 21, 2025, Adam Sandler lavished praise on NFL tight end Travis Kelce, describing his on-screen performance as “ridiculous” — in the best possible way. Kelce, who appears as a hotel employee in the sequel, was not present for the red carpet event due to pre-season football commitments. Still, Sandler made it a point to celebrate him, sharing heartfelt remarks that confirmed Kelce’s impact both on and off set.
During the premiere, Sandler told People magazine that “Travis and Bunny are ridiculous in it… Every athlete kicks ass.” He further said that Travis is “such a gentle, nice guy, and funny as hell,” calling him “a great actor and a great human” during earlier chats with Entertainment Tonight.
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Sandler doubled down, describing Kelce as “unbelievable” and “solid as a rock,” affirming his status as both a gifted performer and solid presence on set.
Bad Bunny also drew accolades for his role as Oscar, Happy Gilmore’s caddy. Sandler laughed about the premiere atmosphere, noting his wife Jackie gave her loudest yet quietest scream in excitement — a nod to how starstruck she was by the rapper turned actor. “He kills it,” Sandler said of Bad Bunny, praising both his confidence and charisma.
The star power continued with the return of familiar faces—Ben Stiller, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald—alongside a parade of celebrity cameos, including pro golfers and musicians like Eminem and Post Malone. The film marks a vibrant reunion nearly three decades after the original’s debut.
While Kelce skipped the event, Sandler’s tributes ensured his presence was strongly felt. Sandler’s wife Jackie, daughters Sadie and Sunny, and co-star Julie Bowen joined him. Sandler noted how on-screen chemistry with his wife remains magnetic despite their real-life partnership. Golf influencer Paige Spiranac made waves on the “green carpet,” prompting Sandler to reiterate his awe at Kelce and Bad Bunny’s hilarious turns.
Travis Kelce’s shift from Kansas City Chiefs superstar to actor underscores a growing trend of athletes crossing into entertainment. Sandler’s glowing remarks—“funny as hell,” “a great actor and a great human”—paint him as a welcome and natural fit on screen. In a prior interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Kelce described his film experience as “a dream come true,” showing genuine enthusiasm for the creative leap.
Bad Bunny’s involvement continues his rapid ascent in Hollywood, following a successful stint hosting Saturday Night Live in 2023. Sandler highlighted his performance and audience appeal, noting how fans, especially women, erupted in excitement — and how even Jackie Sandler was starstruck.
Happy Gilmore 2, directed by Kyle Newacheck and written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, follows Happy’s return to the sport of competitive golf to support his family. Alongside Kelce and Bad Bunny, the film resurrects characters like Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) and Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen), with cameos from celebrities across sports and music. Netflix will debut the sequel on July 25, 2025.
Adam Sandler’s enthusiastic commendation at the Happy Gilmore 2 premiere spotlighted multiple crossover successes—from pro athletes finding their footing in film to musicians like Bad Bunny stealing scenes. His heartfelt praise underscores a successful melding of iconic comedy and fresh talent.