The biting wind whips across a frozen hockey rink, mirroring the ferocity in Happy Gilmore’s eyes as yet another puck sails wide. His explosive temper costs him yet another tryout, leaving him jobless and hopeless – until he learns his Grandma needs $270,000 to save her house from foreclosure. Enter golf, a sport as foreign to Happy as tranquility. His unorthodox swing generates unprecedented power, catching the eye of Chubbs, a former pro with a missing hand and a burning desire to coach the raw talent. But as Happy begins to dominate the golfing world, he finds himself clashing with the established order, particularly the arrogant and preened Shooter McGavin, who sees Happy as a threat to his pristine reputation. As Happy struggles to control his anger and master this new game, Virginia Venit, a charming publicist, is tasked with cleaning up his image, a mission that proves harder than wrangling a wild hyena on a putting green. The stakes are high: Grandma’s house and Happy’s shot at redemption.
Happy Gilmore Movie Overview
Title | Happy Gilmore |
---|---|
Release Status | Released |
Release Date | 1996-02-16 |
Runtime | 1 hours and 32 minutes |
Genre | Comedy |
Original Language | En |
Spoken Language | English |
Country | United States of America |
Production Co. | Universal Pictures, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, Robert Simonds Productions |
Happy Gilmore Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Adam Sandler | Happy Gilmore |
Christopher McDonald | Shooter McGavin |
Julie Bowen | Virginia Venit |
Frances Bay | Grandma |
Carl Weathers | Chubbs |
Allen Covert | Otto |
Robert Smigel | IRS Agent |
Bob Barker | Bob Barker |
Richard Kiel | Mr. Larson |
Dennis Dugan | Doug Thompson |
Joe Flaherty | Jeering Fan |
Lee Trevino | Lee Trevino |
Kevin Nealon | Potter |
Verne Lundquist | Announcer |
Jared Van Snellenberg | Happy’s Waterbury Caddy |
Ken Camroux-Taylor | Coach |
Rich Elwood | Assistant Coach |
Nancy Hillis | Terry |
Helena Yea | Chinese Lady |
Will Sasso | Mover |
Dee Jay Jackson | Mover |
Ellie Harvie | Registrar |
Ian Boothby | Guy on Green |
Andrew Johnston | Crowd Guy – Waterbury |
Kim Restell | Crowd Girl – Waterbury |
Fred Perron | Waterbury Heckler |
Helen Honeywell | Crazy Old Lady |
Paul Raskin | Starter #1 – Waterbury |
William Samples | Starter #2 – AT&T |
John Shaw | Daniel Lafferty |
Ted Deekan | Auctioneer |
John Destry | Zamboni Driver |
James Crescenzo | Shooter’s AT&T Caddy |
Brett Armstrong | Shooter’s Tournament Caddy |
Peter Kelamis | Potter’s Caddy |
Stephen Tibbetts | Pro Golfer |
Ed Lieberman | Pro Golfer |
Donnie MacMillan | Young Happy |
Louis O’Donoghue | Happy’s Dad |
Lisanne Collett | Happy’s Mom |
Stephen Dimopoulos | Italian Guy |
Douglas Newell | Starter #4 – Pro-Am |
Frank L. Frazier | Blue Collar Fan |
David Kaye | Reporter |
Zachary Webb | Batting Kid |
Simon Webb | Doctor |
Mark Lye | Mark Lye |
Betty Linde | Elderly Woman |
Dave Cameron | Reporter #2 |
Louis Kliman | Reporter #3 |
Brent Chapman | Official |
Jessica Gunn | Signed Chest Woman |
Phillip Beer | Cowboy Joe |
Fat Jack | Jack Beard |
Michelle Holdsworth | Babe on Green |
Charles L. Brame | Abe Lincoln |
Elizabeth Duff | Golf Fan (uncredited) |
Carrie Anne Fleming | Donna (uncredited) |
Jack Giarraputo | Sportscaster (uncredited) |
Brennan Kotowich | Boy (uncredited) |
Michael Roberds | Shirtless ‘H’ Fan (uncredited) |
Joe Sakic | Player at Hockey Tryouts (uncredited) |
Ben Stiller | Hal L. – Orderly in Nursing Home (uncredited) |
Valarie Trapp | Valarie Trapp (uncredited) |
Heath Young | Golf Fan (uncredited) |
Happy Gilmore Movie Storyline
Happy Gilmore, a volatile and hockey-obsessed young man with a monstrous slapshot, discovers an unlikely talent for golf when his grandmother, played by Frances Bay, faces foreclosure on her house. Desperate to help her, Happy, portrayed by Adam Sandler, enters a local golf tournament, quickly becoming a media sensation with his unconventional style and explosive temper. His antics on the green immediately attract the ire of the composed and self-absorbed professional golfer Shooter McGavin, acted by Christopher McDonald, who sees Happy as a threat to his career and the prestigious Gold Jacket. As Happy navigates the world of professional golf, he enlists the guidance of Chubbs, a former golf pro haunted by a past injury caused by an alligator, who teaches Happy the finesse and mental discipline needed to succeed. Along the way, Happy finds himself falling for Virginia Venit, played by Julie Bowen, a charming and supportive tour publicist, who sees beyond his rough exterior. Happy must learn to control his anger and embrace the sport to win the tournament and save his grandmother’s house, all while facing sabotage from Shooter McGavin, culminating in a high-stakes showdown where Happy must choose between winning and protecting the people he loves.
Happy Gilmore Movie Details
Happy Gilmore, a riotous comedy set against the surprisingly cutthroat world of professional golf, follows the journey of Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler), a perpetually angry and hockey-obsessed misfit whose dreams of NHL stardom are consistently thwarted. However, Happy’s life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers an uncanny talent for golf, possessing an extraordinarily powerful (albeit wildly inaccurate) drive. Desperate to save his beloved Grandma (Frances Bay) from losing her house to the IRS, Happy reluctantly enters a PGA tournament, hoping to win the prize money and pay off her debts. His explosive temper and unconventional methods clash hilariously with the prim and proper golf establishment, earning him the disdain of rival Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), a smug and impeccably skilled golfer who sees Happy as a threat to his dominance. As Happy navigates the challenges of the tour, his raw talent and outrageous antics attract the attention of Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen), a charming and intelligent tour publicist tasked with cleaning up Happy’s image. Under the tutelage of the one-handed golf legend Chubbs (Carl Weathers), Happy learns to channel his anger and refine his skills, transforming from a hockey goon into a legitimate golfing contender, all while battling Shooter’s underhanded tactics and the ever-present threat of losing his grandmother’s home.
Happy Gilmore Movie Poster Images




Movie Trailers
Happy’s sad place
Happy's Day From Hell Extended Preview
Happy Gilmore Movie FAQs
What is the movie Happy Gilmore about?
Happy Gilmore is about a failed hockey player who discovers he has a talent for golf. He joins a PGA tournament to win prize money and save his grandmother’s house, facing rivalry from Shooter McGavin and trying to manage his unconventional playing style.
Who are the main actors in Happy Gilmore?
The main actors are Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore, Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Julie Bowen as Virginia Venit, and Frances Bay as Grandma.
When was Happy Gilmore released?
Happy Gilmore was released on February 16, 1996.
What is the genre of Happy Gilmore?
Happy Gilmore is primarily a comedy film.
What is the runtime of Happy Gilmore?
The runtime of Happy Gilmore is 92 minutes.
Who directed Happy Gilmore?
Happy Gilmore was directed by Dennis Dugan.
What is Happy Gilmore’s connection to hockey?
Happy Gilmore is a failed hockey player who uses his hockey-style slapshot to excel at golf.
What is Shooter McGavin’s role in the movie?
Shooter McGavin is Happy Gilmore’s main rival in the PGA tournament.
What is Virginia Venit’s role in the movie?
Virginia Venit is a tour publicist who tries to improve Happy Gilmore’s image.
What is the significance of Grandma in Happy Gilmore?
Happy Gilmore is trying to win the PGA tournament to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure.