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NEED TO KNOW
On Feb. 5, 2026, Adam Sandler attended the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where he was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award
During the event, Sandler revealed that Kathy Bates nearly passed on a role in one of his most iconic films
In 1998, Sandler and Bates starred in the comedy 'The Waterboy' alongside Fairuza Balk, Henry Winkler, Rob Schneider and more
Adam SandlerandKathy Bateswere an unforgettable duo inThe Waterboy- but what fans of the movie might not know is that the pairing almost didn't happen.
During the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where Sandler was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award, he told Leonard Maltin that Bates nearly turned down the role of Mama Boucher after the script initially failed to grab her attention.
"I remember we sent Kathy Bates the script forThe Waterboyto play my Mama. I don't know if I have the story 100% right, but apparently she kind of read the first page and went [shrugs] threw it in the garbage," the 59-year-old comedian recalled.
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The script's fate changed when someone close to Bates decided it deserved another look.
"The guy who works with Kathy, picked it up and read it and said, 'Kathy, I think you should read that script. It's pretty funny,'" Sandler explained.
It was only after giving it another read that she decided to "give it a shot."
From there, Sandler said they talked, met and enjoyed spending time together. Bates ultimately signed on to play Mama Boucher, the intensely protective and controlling mother of Sandler's Bobby Boucher, the socially awkward but kind-hearted water boy.
"We're very close," Sandler revealed. "I love her very much."
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The 77-year-old actress shared a similar story onThe Drew Barrymore Showin 2024, admitting she was initially hesitant about the project. While Sandler claimed she tossed the script after the first page, Bates said she made it to page 12 before she "threw it in the trash right next to my bed."
However, as Sandler said, after a bit of convincing, she agreed, and the rest is history.
"And so I said yes," Bates shared. "And I have to say, it's one of my favorite all-time experiences."
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That bond has continued well beyondThe Waterboy, with Bates remaining one of Sandler's greatest supporters.
At the event, he shared that "she's always kind to me," and noted that whenever he takes on a serious role, "she calls me up" to encourage him and let him know she's happy for him.
While that support means a great deal, Sandler admitted it also comes with pressure, as he deeply values her opinion. He recalled a recent stand-up performance that was "going very well," so he decided to take a quick look around the room and noticed Bates in the crowd.
"There were people laughing and then I locked eyes with Kathy and I started pissing," he joked.
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