The Mark Twain Prize Winner: Annihilating Benny Sandler: The Love of Comedy, SNL, Big Daddy, Hustle and The Meyerowitz Stories

The Kennedy Center states that the Mark Twain Prizes “recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, best known as Mark Twain.”

Sander’s movie credits include Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Grown Ups, Big Daddy, The Wedding Singer and the Netflix films Hustle and The Meyerowitz Stories. His career includes acting, writing and producing.

“Adam Sandler has entertained audiences for over three decades with his films, music, and his tenure as a fan favorite cast member on SNL,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a statement, “Adam has created characters that have made us laugh, cry, and cry from laughing.”

Critics have not been as enthusiastic in their reviews of Sandler’s work. In 2014, Mark Olsen wrote in The Los Angeles Times that Sandler’s movies, “exist on their very own plane of bad taste and questionable intentions.” In 2008, NPR’s Bob Mondello wrote that his comedies, “take in millions, in inverse proportion to the wit of their scripts.” He stopped reading reviews early on in his career.

But while some might find Sandler’s comedies sophomoric, his dramatic performances have received more positive reviews. In The New York Times, Glenn Kenny called the actor a “revelation” in the Netflix film The Meyerowitz Stories. The headline for Justin Chang’s review of Hustle in The Los Angeles Times reads that Sandler “gives one of his warmest, most modulated portrayals” as Stanley Sugerman, a former athlete-turned-talent scout.

The announcement that he has won the award could be seen as odd by his two daughters. At the recent Gotham Awards, Sandler was honored with a Performer Tribute. He told the audience that he had written a speech for his daughters. “Daddy’s silly film career began in 1988, formed by two guiding principles: people in prison need movies too and TBS needs content.”

Sandler will receive a copy of an 1884 bronze portrait bust of Mark Twain sculpted by Karl Gerhardt (1853–1940) at a gala performance at the Kennedy Center in March.

In the 1990s, Sandler worked with number of now-famous comedians and actors on Saturday Night Live. Conan O’Brien is among them. He poked fun at Sandler’s loyalty, because he often works with the same team of writers and actors.

Buscemi has appeared in several films. He told the audience that nobody makes him laugh funnier than you, and nobody has taken better care of him than you. He does this for all his friends. He’s done this for so many people…. But for me, I think the best part of working with Adam, with you, is just getting to hang out with you, man.”