"Syracuse University alumnus unveils shocking appearance in the upcoming 'Happy Gilmore 2' film"
In a surprising turn of events, Max Kessler, a Syracuse University alumnus who majored in finance and accounting, has found himself in the limelight, not for his academic achievements, but for his uncanny resemblance to Hollywood star Adam Sandler. This resemblance has led to Kessler's appearance in Sandler's latest movie, "Happy Gilmore 2."
Back in 2016, Kessler gained significant attention due to his striking similarity to Sandler, which went viral. The resemblance was so uncanny that Sandler himself referred to Kessler as a "younger, sweeter, better version of me" in an interview with ET. This viral fame eventually paved the way for Kessler to be cast in Sandler's film, where he played a secret role.
Kessler's acting career history is unique. He rose to prominence primarily through his connection with Sandler rather than a long list of varied acting roles. His role in "Happy Gilmore 2" is currently the most highlighted part of his career, partly because of the viral story connecting his likeness to Adam Sandler and the surprise casting decision based on that likeness.
The connection between Max Kessler and Adam Sandler is centred on this uncanny resemblance, which not only gained viral attention but also bridged to a professional collaboration. Sandler, intrigued by discovering Kessler online, eventually included him in his film project.
In "Happy Gilmore 2," Kessler plays a younger version of Happy Gilmore, rather than his son. The film, which was released on July 25, 2023, became Netflix's biggest premiere ever, with 46.7 million viewers in its first three days.
Kessler's involvement in the movie was revealed through an Instagram video, where he described the challenging filming process. The movie features a number of big names, including Bad Bunny, Benny Safdie, Haley Joel Osment, Travis Kelce, Steve Buscemi, Margaret Qualley, Eric Andre, Eminem, and real-life golf stars like Jack Nicklaus, John Daly, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Brooks Koepka.
Notably, "Happy Gilmore" was inspired by Sandler's childhood friend, not Max Kessler, highlighting that Kessler's connection is through the film's sequel and viral likeness rather than original character inspiration.
As for Sandler, his credits include "SNL," "Billy Madison," "Grown Ups," "Murder Mystery 2," "The Wedding Singer," "The Waterboy," "Hotel Transylvania," "Funny People," "Punch-Drunk Love," "Hustle," "Uncut Gems," and several Netflix specials, including "100% Fresh" in 2018 and "I Love You" in 2024.
In addition to his role in "Happy Gilmore 2," Syracuse native Post Malone is also featured in the movie. Sandler is coming to Syracuse next month for a stand-up comedy performance, but the show is sold out. Fans can still get tickets via StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Seat Geek.
Meanwhile, a local drive-in movie theater is changing its schedule and ending its season early. On a lighter note, a '90s baseball movie is being shown on the field at Syracuse Mets' stadium, and a new lacrosse movie is shooting in Syracuse and needs extras.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that Max Kessler joked that he and Adam Sandler are best friends. In 2016, Sandler even invited Kessler to the premiere of his Netflix movie, "The Do-Over." Despite his brief foray into the world of acting, Max Kessler's story serves as a testament to the power of the internet and the unexpected twists that life can sometimes take.
- Max Kessler's unexpected involvment in the entertainment industry, specifically in movies and TV, began with his uncanny resemblance to Adam Sandler, leading to his casting in Sandler's "Happy Gilmore 2."
- Despite his brief career in movies and TV, Max Kessler's journey, fueled by his remarkable resemblance to Adam Sandler, underscores the power of the internet and the unpredictable turns life can take.
