The Unexpected Way Adam Sandler Prepares For Crying Scenes
Adam Sandler has carved out a unique career since he rose to prominence in the 1990s. Like many a "Saturday Night Live" star before him, Sandler leveraged his time on the sketch comedy series into an impressive film career, starring in movies like "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" and launching his own production company. While some people can't stand Sandler's movies, no one can deny they've succeeded immensely. Indeed, the actor has a box office gross of more than $3 billion (via The Numbers).
Adam Sandler has always brought pathos to even his most ridiculous characters, whether a hotheaded golfer or a dimwitted waterboy. In the early aughts, however, the comedian began to take on more dramatic roles, starting with Paul Thomas Anderson's 2002 film "Punch-Drunk Love." For his turn as the lonely, anxious Barry Egan, Sandler received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination (via IMDb).
Sandler has lent his dramatic acting chops to a few more movies, including "Spanglish" and the Safdie Brothers' crime thriller "Uncut Gems." For these roles, Sandler has had to tap into his actorly talents, even eliciting a few tears for the camera. Here's how he prepares for crying scenes.
Sandler watches sad videos to get the waterworks going
On "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Adam Sandler revealed his secret to crying on camera, and the actor doesn't exactly rely on the Meisner technique. Instead, Sandler credits his wife and her compendium of tear-jerking Instagram videos. "In real life, I don't cry at all. I'm psychotic," said Sandler. "But when I have to cry in a movie, literally I call my wife up and say, 'Send me one of those Instagrams of a car crash or something like that.' I have no idea what emotionally works on me."
Sandler has notably had to turn on the waterworks for his more dramatic roles, including his emotionally fraught performances in "Drunk-Punch Love" and "Uncut Gems." But the actor has long been attracted to bombastic, theatrical crying scenes in his comedies. Sad videos, it seems, allow him to fine-tune the emotion.
Other actors have shared their quick tips for crying on camera. James McAvoy admitted to using the Joey Tribbiani from "Friends" technique as a young actor, explaining on "Live with Kelly and Ryan," "You put your hand in your pocket and rip out your pubes."