Henry Winkler Reveals He Starred inThe Waterboyfor Adam Sandler as a Last-Minute 'Favor': All I Got Was 'a Cookie'

Mar. 15, 2025

Henry Winkler and Adam Sandler in 1998’s The Waterboy.Photo:Getty

Getty

During Winkler’s appearance on the Oct. 9 episode ofSiriusXM’sLet’s Talk Off-Camera with Kelly Ripa, the actor, 78, at one point joked to hostKelly Ripathat Sandler only gifted him “a cookie” for his work in 1998’sThe Waterboy, afterRipa recalled recalled thatChris Rockonce told her Sandler bought hisGrown Upscostars — including Rock,David Spade,Kevin JamesandRob Schneider— Maseratis for costarring in the 2010 family comedy.

“I didWaterboy. He called me up in the middle of the night. He said, ‘Henry, I need a favor. My actor didn’t show up. I need you to drive right now to the park,’ " Winkler recalled. “It’s in L.A., it is now 11:30 at night. I go and I say, ‘Okay.’ I shave. I drive. I go. I sit. I get makeup until 3:30 in the morning. Do you know what I got? A cookie.”

Henry Winkler and Adam Sandler in 1998’s The Waterboy.Getty

“I didn’t even get to keep my wardrobe,” Winkler added, after Ripa noted that he has made three total movies with Sandler, including 2006’sClickand 2008’sYou Don’t Mess with the Zohan. Winkler also cameos in Sandler’s 2000 movieLittle Nickyand his 2017 movieSandy Wexler.

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InThe Waterboy, Sandler costarred as a man who works for a college football team as a waterboy — until he reveals a hidden talent for tackling and Winkler’s football coach character melds him into a formidable linebacker. In addition to Sandler and Winkler, the movie also costarredKathy Bates, Schneider, Kevin Farley and Fairuza Balk, among others.

Henry Winkler and Adam Sandler circa 2006.L. Cohen/WireImage

L. Cohen/WireImage

“I don’t want a Maserati because — can I just say, that would be so low to get into. I would have to sleep in it. I could never get out,” Winkler joked during the conversation, after Ripa said she would ask Sandler to gift Winkler a car too. Instead Winkler said he’d like “a Lexus, the small version — a small Lexus version of the SUV.”

source: people.com