Jared Van Snellenberg, the actor who famously played the teen caddie attacked by Adam Sandler in the 1996 cult classic “Happy Gilmore,” has carved out a second successful career as a neuroscientist on Long Island.
At 44, Van Snellenberg is the lab director at Stony Brook’s Renaissance School of Medicine, but his past acting gig still catches up with him. “People come to participate in our research studies, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I don’t really care about being paid, can I just meet Dr. Van Snellenberg?’” he told The Post.
Van Snellenberg, who now resides in Floral Park, is accustomed to hearing famous lines from the film, like, “Mister Gilmore, I’m your caddie!” or “Where were ya on that one, dips–t?” shouted by strangers.
“Even at a recent physical therapy appointment, the receptionist said, ‘I finally know where I recognize you from!’” the doctor shared.
His memorable role as the 14-year-old caddie from British Columbia, Canada, in the golf comedy came at a time when he realized he had to choose between his passions: acting and science.
Van Snellenberg, who discovered a love for Shakespeare as a boy, recalled the moment he informed his agent he was leaving the entertainment industry to attend Columbia University. His agent’s response: “Oh, you’re talking about the real world — this is all make-believe.”
The doctor, whose research focuses on schizophrenia, remains content with his career change, stating, “But being on set is something I still miss.” He is known on X as @HappysCaddy.
The On-Set Antics of a Comedy Classic
Van Snellenberg, a father of three, fondly remembers the “prank atmosphere” and vibrant energy on the “Happy Gilmore” set. He described Adam Sandler as being very similar to his characters from that era, calling the set “a riot.” He also noted the late Carl Weathers, who played Chubbs Peterson, as a delightful presence.
On the final day of filming, Weathers and Van Snellenberg engaged in a playful, all-day slap fight. Fortunately, Weathers was not using the prosthetic wooden hand his character sported.
Van Snellenberg also revealed a planned scene where Sandler’s character was supposed to throw him into a pond after a physical altercation. However, Sandler accidentally dropped Van Snellenberg during filming, leading the legal team to cancel the scene due to safety concerns.
His casting was serendipitous. Van Snellenberg had bleached his hair blond during a rebellious phase, much to his mother’s disapproval. She believed it was a mistake that would hinder his career prospects. However, this new look was exactly what director Dennis Dugan sought, and Van Snellenberg’s ability to handle Sandler’s tackles during auditions sealed the deal.
“They said, ‘Don’t cut your hair. Don’t do anything with your hair.’ My mom said, ‘Thank God you didn’t listen to me,’ ” Van Snellenberg recalled.
A Different Kind of Drive
While Van Snellenberg was only featured photographically in the recent sequel “Happy Gilmore 2,” he enjoyed the film and seeing professional golfer Will Zalatoris embody his character’s legacy.
“Maybe I can take a week off and go be in ‘Happy Gilmore 3,’” he mused. “I’d love to do that.”
For now, Van Snellenberg remains dedicated to his neurological research, specifically exploring how working memory and other cognitive functions influence schizophrenia.
Interestingly, despite his role in a famous golf movie, Van Snellenberg never developed a passion for the sport. “I never got into golf,” he admitted. “Nobody ever brought me to a golf course as a kid or young adult. It was just not part of my life.”
His focus on set was purely on the camaraderie. “I was a 14-year-old kid goofing around with Adam Sandler,” Van Snellenberg said. “That’s what was salient to me on that set, not that I should go start trying to play golf.”
