Adam Sandler sends condolences after Colorado gator from ‘Happy Gilmore’ dies

Sadly, the most famous alligator to ever call Colorado home, Morris, passed away somewhere between 80 and 100-years-old earlier this month. Now, his most famous co-star has sent condolences.

Morris was the gator in “Happy Gilmore,” which starred Adam Sandler. On Wednesday, Sandler released a eulogy-style post on X, saying goodbye to Morris:

Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art. I will never forget at craft service that time when we split the Three Musketeers bar and you let me have the bigger half. But that’s who you were. I know your character’s decapitation in the first movie precluded your participation in the sequel, but we all appreciated the fruit basket and the hilarious note. I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.

While “Happy Gilmore 2” is in the works, Morris wasn’t scheduled to be part of the film. Not only did he die in the first movie, but he was too big and old at the time to travel.

Morris’ home in Colorado for the last 19 years, Colorado Gator Farm, said on Facebook that Morris would be taxidermized, so he can “continue to scare children for years to come.”

Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film. The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce… pic.twitter.com/iQlkne4fwJ

— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) May 14, 2025