Adam Sandler received the career achievement award at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards with a humorous speech full of self-deprecating jokes about getting older. The event, held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, celebrated entertainment for audiences over 50. Sandler promised to make at least 50 more movies before he dies.
Adam Sandler delivered a comedic speech upon accepting the career achievement honor at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Greeting the audience as his “silver-haired daddies” and “salt-and-pepper mommies,” Sandler addressed perceptions of his age, noting that many told him the award marks him as officially old. However, he quipped, “It’s not because of this award. I got 10 other reasons that let you know why.”
Among his jokes, Sandler shared, “The other day, I had to swallow a Viagra just to take a piss.” He added that he has only one tastebud left, making everything taste like oatmeal, and his texts are so large they can be read by “anyone with a window seat on a Delta flight.” At his high school reunion, he spent most time saying, “I’m so sorry to hear that.” He also confessed that despite pressing play on 44 Oscar screeners, he stays awake for only eight minutes total, praising the first 30 seconds of films by honorees.
Sandler thanked his family, saying, “Thank you to my lovely wife for staying with me even though no part of my body is where it used to be,” and to his two children for not laughing when he walks shirtless. He closed by promising attendees, including George Clooney, Kathy Bates, Noah Wyle, and Laura Dern, “I will make at least 50 more movies before I am dead. And at least 25 of them will be good.”
Henry Winkler introduced Sandler, highlighting his comedic roles in films like “50 First Dates,” “Click,” “The Wedding Singer,” and “Bedtime Stories,” as well as dramatic work in “Uncut Gems” and “Jay Kelly.” Winkler noted Sandler’s unchanged style of Hawaiian shirts and sport shorts. Sandler rose to fame via stand-up comedy and “Saturday Night Live” in 1990, starring in 2025 releases “Jay Kelly” and “Happy Gilmore 2.”
In “Jay Kelly” on Netflix, Sandler plays Ron Sukenick, agent to George Clooney’s character, earning 2026 Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actor, plus a previous 2020 Critics Choice nod for “Uncut Gems” and the 2026 Palm Springs Chairman’s Award. AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan praised Sandler for challenging aging stereotypes: “People know him, people appreciate him. We laugh with him. We cry with him.”
Other winners included Clooney for best actor in “Jay Kelly,” Laura Dern for best actress in “Is This Thing On?,” Regina Hall for best supporting actress in “One Battle After Another,” and Delroy Lindo for best supporting actor in “Sinners.” Hosted by Alan Cumming, the awards fight ageism and premiere on PBS’s “Great Performances” on February 22.
