Actor Adam Sandler says retirement is not in his plans. The Jay Kelly and Uncut Gems star told audiences at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards that he intends to make “at least 50 more movies” before he dies. The 59-year-old comedian received the Career Achievement Award at the event, handed to him by longtime friend and co-star Henry Winkler, known for his roles alongside Sandler in The Water Boy and Click.
Sandler’s acceptance speech drew laughter and applause as he joked about his age and the meaning behind the AARP honor. “People said to me, ‘Sandman, getting an AARP Award means you’re old now.’” he said, adding that he already had plenty of reasons to feel that way. The audience roared as he listed off a series of personal observations about growing older, poking fun at his eyesight and changing health. His humor, though exaggerated, landed with a note of affection from fans who have followed his decades-long career.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sandler also joked about his future workload. “I don’t know how much time I have left — 60, 70 years, maybe 90 if I start working out,” he said. “I promise everyone here tonight, I will make at least 50 more movies — and at least 25 of them will be good.” The quip reinforced his commitment to steady output and his ongoing relationship with audiences, even as the industry shifts toward younger talent and digital platforms. Analysts say that kind of resilience sets Sandler apart in Hollywood’s changing landscape.
Earlier this month, while accepting the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards, Sandler reflected on his early struggles and how close he came to a completely different life. He recalled how his father, an electrical contractor, encouraged him to take one year to pursue acting before joining the family business. “If it didn’t work out, I’d have been working for my dad,” Sandler said. “I didn’t know much about electricity or contracting.”
He added that if his career hadn’t taken off, his current lifestyle would look very different. “I probably wouldn’t have vacations in Hawaii,” he joked. “If I wanted to go swimming, I’d just head to the pond next to the nuclear power plant.” The crowd laughed as he imagined a life where his car and clothes might look the same but without Hollywood success backing them.
Sandler’s long run in comedy and film appears far from over. At nearly 60, the actor known for irreverent humor and heartfelt characters continues to draw crowds — and plenty of laughter. Industry watchers note that few performers in Hollywood manage to balance critical scrutiny and audience loyalty quite like him. As Sandler told the crowd, “I’m not done yet.”
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English (US) · 