At a Glance
- Henry Winkler and Adam Sandler have been “like family” since Winkler thanked Sandler for including him in the “Chanukah” song lyrics
- Winkler presented Sandler with the Career Achievement Award at the January 10, 2026 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards
- Their collaboration began with The Waterboy in 1998 and includes Click, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, plus cameos in Little Nicky and Sandy Wexler
- Why it matters: The story shows how an unexpected phone call about song lyrics turned into a 28-plus-year friendship and multiple film partnerships
Henry Winkler calls Adam Sandler family, tracing their bond to a late-night thank-you call about a Hanukkah lyric and cemented through six shared films and countless private moments.
From Lyric to Lifelong Friendship
Winkler, 80, told News Of Los Angeles at the January 10, 2026 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards that their relationship began when he phoned Sandler, 59, to express gratitude for being name-checked in the comedian’s “Chanukah” song. That conversation opened the door to Winkler’s appearance in The Waterboy, the 1998 hit that kicked off a string of collaborations.
“We are like family since I called him to thank him for making me a lyric in his ‘Chanukah’ song,” Winkler said while preparing to hand Sandler the Career Achievement Award in Los Angeles.
“And then he invited me to be in The Waterboy. And we have a connection now. He is a man of the world. He is connected to the world. He’s universal. Not just in popularity, his expanse. And I am so happy to be in that organ.”
What Winkler Learned From Sandler
When asked how Sandler has enriched his life, Winkler praised the actor’s generosity:
- “First of all, you learn from him. He teaches us how to have generosity of soul. That is his essence.”
- Winkler admires Sandler’s spontaneity: “You never know what’s going to come out. You never know what the next moment is going to be with Adam, but it is always filled with warmth.”
A Wedding Speech to Remember
Accepting the award, Sandler returned the affection, telling Winkler onstage:
“Henry, you know I love you.”
He then reminded the audience that Winkler had delivered a memorable speech at his 2003 wedding to Jackie Sandler:
“It was the greatest speech. Everybody talks about how wonderful your speech was to me and Jackie.”
The Waterboy Memory
Winkler previously recounted the chaotic start of their first film together during an October 2025 episode of SiriusXM’s Let’s Talk Off-Camera with Kelly Ripa:
“I did Waterboy. 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.’ 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.”
Joint Filmography
The pair’s on-screen partnership spans nearly three decades:
| Year | Film | Winkler’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Waterboy | Coach Klein |
| 2000 | Little Nicky | Cameo |
| 2006 | Click | Morty |
| 2008 | You Don’t Mess with the Zohan | Uncle |
| 2017 | Sandy Wexler | Cameo |
Winkler’s Full Admiration
On the same SiriusXM show, Winkler gushed about Sandler’s multifaceted personality:
“He is whatever you imagine. He is wacky. He is different. He is a family man. He is loyal. He is funny. He is an amazement. He has a vision. You know, when he directs or he’s in a movie, he is in charge of every detail. There’s not a frame that gets by him. No matter what it is. I love him and I respect him deeply.”
Key Takeaways
- A single thank-you call about a song lyric evolved into a 28-year friendship and six film collaborations
- Winkler presented Sandler with the Career Achievement Award at the 2026 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, highlighting their enduring personal and professional bond
- Their first project, The Waterboy, began with a last-minute midnight call and ended with Winkler receiving only “a cookie” as compensation, yet it launched a creative partnership that continues to thrive
