Adam Sandler Pays Tribute to “Happy Gilmore” Costar Carl Weathers After Death: 'A True Great Man'

"Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him," said Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler is paying tribute to his Happy Gilmore costar Carl Weathers after news of his death at age 76.

"A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always," wrote Sandler on Instagram Friday. The pair worked together on the 1996 golf comedy, which also starred Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald.

Continued Sandler, 57, about Weathers, "Smart as hell. Loyal as hell. Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him."

"Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend," he added.

Bowen, 53, also reacted to Weathers' death, writing on Instagram, "Dearest Carl, you’ll always be my Chubbs. What a glorious spirit you had. Thanks for making me smile. I hope they golf wherever you are."

On Friday, Weathers' family announced that the actor and former NFL player died peacefully on Thursday.

Related: Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek Pinault Honor Grown Ups Costar Alec Musser After His Death at 50: 'Great Loss'

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"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said the family, adding, "Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life."

"Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations," they added. "He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend."

Aside from Happy Gilmore, the star famously played Apollo Creed opposite Sylvester Stallone in the Rocky films. He also costarred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987's Predator, and he most recently appeared in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

In 2020, Weathers told British GQ that he sustained a back injury while making Happy Gilmore that still caused him pain decades later.

During a stunt mishap, "I felt the pain and the burning sensation immediately," he recalled at the time. "But, again, I'm an athlete, I'm tough, I'm an actor, let's keep going. And after about three or more of those, I said, 'No more of that.'"

"I didn't know it until years later, but I fractured two vertebrae and osteophytes grew out and connected and it did a kind of self-fuse in a really bad place," explained Weathers. "There were three or four years there where I was just in excruciating pain."

He added of the lingering pain, "After maybe the fourth year it all started to calm down. Now, for about two-and-a-half years, almost three years, no serious pain. I'm glad not to be experiencing what I was experiencing. It was debilitating."

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Sandler, in August, honored another Happy Gilmore costar, Bob Barker, after his death at age 99. He wrote on Instagram at the time, "The man. The myth. The best. Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!"

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