While the idea of mixing your personal and professional lives might not appeal to everyone, Adam Sandler often brings his friends into his work, frequently featuring them in his movies.
Known for his hilarious and often absurd comedies, Adam Sandler has been part of many cherished films over the years. A notable feature in his movies is the recurring cast, including his longtime friend Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi has appeared in more than 15 of Sandler’s comedies—16 to be exact—ranging from The Wedding Singer (1998) and Grown Ups (2010) to Hotel Transylvania (2012) and Hubie Halloween (2020). And let’s not forget the 1994 release, Airheads.
When Sandler received The Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize in 2023, an award named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists, Buscemi gave a speech reflecting on Sandler’s career. He also took the opportunity to humorously roast his friend.
Buscemi joked that he couldn’t remember who he had spoken to all evening because it “all blends together—kinda like Adam’s movies.” He also added that he was “a serious actor” before meeting Sandler.
“I did edgy indies. Have you ever tried that? I’m not talking about playing yourself in Unedited Gems [referencing Sandler’s role in Uncut Gems],” Buscemi continued. “The whole time I was watching it I was thinking, ‘Stay in your lane, Waterboy.’”
However, Buscemi took a moment to be sincere, reflecting on how Sandler creates movies “for so many people,” including his friends. He explained why he has appeared in so many of Sandler’s films.
Buscemi said: “He does this for all his friends, he does this for so many people, all of the guys you came up with, they’re either writing, or directing, or producing, or acting in your films.”
“I love it when you scream s**t at me off camera, like funny things to say, and I just try to say them like you and then when I hear you laugh at the funny thing you told me to say I’m in heaven. I love it.”
“For me, the best part of working with Adam is just getting to hang out with you, man. Congratulations, Adam. You are deservedly getting this award for your legendary career and knowing you, your talent and your big heart, the best is yet to come.”
As a Twitter user aptly noted: “We all need a friend like Adam Sandler.”