Kathy Bates shared a surprising story about “The Waterboy,” admitting that she initially tossed the script and had no idea who Adam Sandler was. The Oscar-winning actress nearly passed on the hit comedy before reconsidering and joining the project. The two ultimately formed a genuine bond, with Bates reflecting warmly on her experience working with Sandler.
Kathy Bates is considered one of the most versatile actresses in Hollywood, and she has built a versatile career stepping into diverse roles across different genres. When she received the script for “The Waterboy,” which Adam Sandler co-wrote, she gave it a chance but threw it out after reading a few pages.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress said, “I didn’t know who Adam Sandler was, and I got a script. It was a football script, and I was like, ‘Oh, let’s give me a football.’ Twelve pages I read and I thought, ‘Oh, man, I can’t do this thing. This is ridiculous.”
“The Waterboy” follows Bobby Boucher (Sandler), a socially awkward 31-year-old working as a waterboy for a college football team, who discovers an unexpected talent for tackling.
Bates tossed the script in the trash and her niece, who worked with her, found it. Thankfully, her niece knew of Sandler. “So I took another look at it, and I thought, well, I’ll do this for Linda,” Bates said.
The Actress Had The ‘Most Fun’ On Set
Bates agreed to play Helen “Mama” Boucher, Bobby’s devoutly Christian, overprotective, and domineering mother who keeps him sheltered.
“Turns out we have the most fun. He’s brilliant. He’s a genius,” Bates said about Sandler. “I dove in the deep end and just had a great time. Just screwed around. And I loved working with him,” she continued.
Bates recalled Sandler’s reaction after the movie’s release in 1998. “‘We made 34 million dollars in one weekend.’ He was so taken aback. It was a lot of fun,” the actress said.
“The Waterboy” was a success, earning $185 million at the worldwide box office on a budget of $23 million.
Adam Sandler Knew Kathie Bates Tossed His Script
At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February, Sandler recalled how Bates almost passed on the role of Mama Boucher. “I remember we sent Kathy Bates the script for ‘The Waterboy’ to play my Mama. I don’t know if I have the story 100% right, but apparently she kind of read the first page and threw it in the garbage,” Sandler said.
After Bates agreed to take part in the movie, she met up with Sandler to talk about the film. The latter said he enjoyed spending time with the award-winning actress, adding that they forged a genuine friendship. Sandler also revealed that when he has a serious role, Bates calls him to give support and encouragement. “We’re very close. I love her very much,” Sandler said.
What The Actress Said To Adam Sandler About His Critics
Sandler knew that not everyone would appreciate the movies that he did. When “The Waterboy” came out, he had already done other films, such as “Billy Madison” and “Happy Gilmore,” and he read the negative reviews.
On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in 2022, Sandler told host Josh Horowitz that after shooting movies, people would tell him how critics would like the film. “And I’d be like, ‘Oh no, no, they’re going to say bad things, and they’re probably going to say bad things about you being in it’,” Sandler said.
The “SNL” alum then recalled talking about it with Bates, telling her that she probably shouldn’t read the “bad stuff” about “The Waterboy.” “She’s like, ‘I liked it, so that’s all that matters,’ or something like that. She was cool,” Sandler said about Bates.
Kathy Bates And Adam Sandler Support Each Other
Bates and Sandler have remained close over the years. In 2020, there was buzz around Sandler after he was snubbed at the Academy Awards. Many believed he deserved a Best Actor nomination for his role in “Uncut Gems.” That same year, Bates was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Richard Jewell.”
Sandler tweeted that he got “no love from the Academy,” but congratulated the other nominees and gave a special shoutout to Mama Boucher.
In response, Bates wrote, “I love you my Bobby Boucher!!! You was robbed!! But Mama loves you!!! I learned a new urban slang word for you! You da GOAT!! Not the one we eat at home, Son.”
