BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — For Adam Sandler, aging is best handled with humor. The actor and comedian leaned fully into self-deprecation after receiving the Career Achievement Award at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday night, Jan. 10. Introduced by longtime friend Henry Winkler, Sandler opened his acceptance speech by greeting the crowd in his signature comedic voice and saluting what he called his fellow “silver-hair daddies and salt-and-pepper mommas.”
“The Fonz is in the house!” Sandler joked, referencing Winkler’s iconic role. He then addressed the elephant in the room — the idea that the AARP honor officially marked him as old. “A lot of people said to me, ‘Sandman, I think the AARP Award means that you’re old now,’” Sandler said. “To that I say, ‘It’s not because of this award. I got 10 other reasons.’”
A List of Laughs That Brought the House Down
Sandler, 59, pulled out a printed list and rattled off exaggerated “proof” of his aging, igniting roaring laughter from the audience. Among the highlights: joking that he needed Viagra “just to take a piss,” claiming his body makes noises “like a semi-truck driving over a family of lobsters” when he sits down, and quipping that his phone’s font is so large his text messages are visible to fellow passengers on a Delta flight. The jokes landed with a room full of Hollywood heavyweights, including George Clooney and Paul Mescal, both seen laughing during the speech.
Gratitude for Family and a Promise to Keep Working
After the laughter subsided, Sandler shifted to a more heartfelt tone. He thanked his wife, Jackie Sandler, for standing by him over the years. “Thank you for staying with me even though no part of my body is where it used to be,” he said, drawing another wave of laughs. He also praised his two daughters for supporting him — even if they can’t help laughing when he walks around shirtless at home. “They do laugh, by the way,” Sandler admitted.
Looking ahead, Sandler joked about his future with mock seriousness. “I don’t know how much time I have left. Sixty years, 70, 80 tops,” he said, adding that maybe he could stretch it to 90 “if I start working out and taking creatine.” He then promised the crowd he would make at least 50 more movies before he dies — “and at least 25 of them will be good.”
A Night Celebrating Seasoned Talent
The AARP Movies for Grownups Awards honor film and television that resonate with audiences aged 50 and older, while spotlighting performers whose careers have stood the test of time. The evening also featured notable speeches from director Guillermo del Toro and actor Delroy Lindo, underscoring the event’s focus on legacy and longevity.
