“Happy Gilmore” was a silly comedy about golf, but it also had a famous animal appearance, Morris the alligator. The Colorado Gators Reptile Park, where he has lived since 2006, announced his sad passing.
“Happy Gilmore” and Morris
Morris had a pivotal role in “Happy Gilmore.” He was the alligator responsible for taking the hand of Happy’s (Adam Sandler) coach’s hand. The coach, Chubbs, was played by Carl Weathers. Later in the film, Happy tries to give Chubbs the head of the ‘gator, which has an unexpected result.
Morris has appeared in other movies and TV shows like “Dr. Dolittle 2,” “Interview with the Vampire,” “Eraser,” “Night Court,” and “Blues Brothers 2000,” as well as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” alongside Steve Irwin.
Morris was originally someone’s illegal pet, but then found a home with Brocketts Film Fauna from 1975 until 2006. Then he retired to the sanctuary where he lived out the rest of his life in his own habitat. They didn’t know his actual age, but based on his size and loss of teeth, they estimated he was over 80 years old.
The tearful announcement of his death was made by his caretaker in a Facebook video on May 11. They’ve also shared that Morris will be taxidermied “so that he can continue to scare children for years to come.”
