In Adam Sandler's 2020 film, "Hubie Halloween," Ben Stiller reprised his role as his "Happy Gilmore" character Hal L, the sadistic orderly in charge of a nursing home. Here's a look at his role on the show.
"Hubie Halloween's" opening scene foretells the impending mayhem by focusing on the Westford State Mental Hospital on a dark stormy night. A new attendant, Richie Hartman, goes to check on a patient while roaming the corridors.
The attendant turned out to be Hal L., a character initially featured in 1996's "Happy Gilmore" as the cruel nurse who worked at the nursing facility where Adam Sandler's character's grandmother was confined.
Ben Stiller as Hal L. in "Happy Gilmore," circa 1996. | Source: Youtube/Movieclips
WHO DID BEN STILLER PLAY IN "HAPPY GILMORE?"
In "Happy Gilmore," Stiller played Hal L, the orderly of the nursing home, long before he became a movie star. The actor was uncredited for his appearance, but he was so memorable in his act that it became one of his best-known characters, despite his many leading roles.
Stiller's character in "Happy Gilmore" had alternative endings not many know about. In the television end, Happy discloses to the orderly (Stiller) that his grandmother revealed everything to him. At that moment, he throws Stiller out of the window, only to meet pain.
"Noy is that guy strong," Stiller said as he made an impact on the ground. The following sequence of events finds Stiller's character being beaten by older people with their hands, canes, and purses.
Unlike other movie makers, Adam Sandler rarely calls back characters to reprise their roles, making Stiller's cameo appearance in "Hubie Halloween" a special one.
His cameo was kept under wraps to surprise viewers until the film's premiere. It was an even bigger shock for the audience as the talented actor hadn't appeared on screen for several years. His last on-screen role was in 2017's "Brad Status." Sandler said of Stiller:
"He's a good friend of mine. I love him, and our families are friends. We talked about it and knew we'd have a good time doing that."
Ben Stiller at the Nantucket Film Festival on June 19, 1998 | Source: Getty Images
Stiller's daughter, Ella Olivia Stiller, also had a unique role in "Hubie Halloween" as a coffee barista, making the film an exciting family affair.
When Stiller played Hal L. in "Happy Gilmore," he left fans with some memorable quotes. When Sandler's character's grandmother asked him for a glass of warm milk during nap time, Hal L said:
"Now, you will go to sleep, or I will put you to sleep. Check out the name tag. You're in my world now, Grandma."
Also, while using the residents to make quilts for his gain, one of the ladies told Hal L that her fingers were hurting. As he helped her up to her feet, he said: "Oh, well, now your back's gonna hurt, 'cause you just pulled landscaping duty."
He worked on stage for years before making his big-screen debut in 1987 when he starred in "Empire of the Sun."
Hal L.'s character pays homage to Sandler's previous films. His full name, Hubie Dubois, is a tribute to the football character Bobby Boucher in "The Waterboy."
Hal L.'s on-screen lover, Violet Valentine, is also in line with Sandler's love interests with double-V initials, such as Valerie Veran in "Little Nicky" and Vicki Vallencourt in "The Waterboy."
"Hubie Halloween" is the story of a resident of Salem who makes an effort to keep an eye on his neighbors so that they have a safe Halloween every year. Despite his pleasant nature, Hubie is seen as the odd one in town, making him a frequent victim of bullying.
When Salem residents begin to disappear while an escaped mental patient is on the run, Hubie attempts to alert others of the danger before he is forced to stop the threats on his own.
Ben Stiller at the PROJECT ALS "Tomorrow Is Tonight" 11th annual benefit Gala on October 7, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
BEST BEN STILLER MOVIES
Stiller, who was exposed to the Hollywood lifestyle from a young age, grew up among the stars and became interested in performing and shooting films by the time he was ten.
He worked on stage for years before making his big-screen debut in 1987 when he starred in "Empire of the Sun." It wasn't until 1998 that he propelled into the mainstream spotlight with "There's Something About Mary."
Ben Stiller at the premiere of Apple TV+'s "Severance" on April 8, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
As a writer, director, actor, producer, and comedian, Stiller has a massive acting background behind him. He has written and directed some of the projects he starred in and is not slowing down.
Some of Ben Stiller's most memorable movies are: "The Meyerowitz Stories," "Flirting With Disaster," "Meet the Parents," "While We're Young," "Tropic Thunder," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Brad's Status," "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," and "Greenberg."
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