Dennis Dugan
Encyclopedia
Dennis Dugan is an American director, comedian, and actor. He is most famous for his partnership with comedic actor Adam Sandler
, with whom he directed the films Happy Gilmore
, Big Daddy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
, You Don't Mess with the Zohan
, Grown Ups, Just Go With It
, and Jack and Jill
.
. He has appeared in such films as the 1976 films Harry and Walter Go to New York
and Norman, Is That You?
. In 1979, he was ideally cast as the time-displaced hero in Unidentified Flying Oddball
, Disney's updated remake of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
. His first notable television appearance was in the Columbo episode "Last Salute to the Commodore", as a young police officer. Then he was the star of the short-lived 1978 series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye
, playing a character who originated in a telemovie
, and then made guest appearances in the role of Brockelman on The Rockford Files
before getting his own show. He took on a semi-regular role as an erstwhile caped-crusader who called himself "Captain Freedom" on Hill Street Blues
and also appeared on Empire (1984), and Shadow Chasers
(1984). He played Walter Bishop, the brief husband of Maddie Hayes (Cybil Shepherd) on Moonlighting
. Dugan's films credits of the 1980s include the 1981 horror film The Howling
, the 1987 romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love
and the 1988 film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
.
Dugan has also made a career as a television and film director, and appears in cameo parts in many of his films. Films directed by Dennis Dugan include the 1990 comedy Problem Child (with Dugan as an All-American dad), the 2001 comedy Saving Silverman
(in which Dugan plays a football referee), the 2003 comedy National Security
, and the 1996 and 1999 Adam Sandler comedies Happy Gilmore
(in which Dugan plays Doug Thompson, the golf tour supervisor) and Big Daddy (with Dugan as a man who reluctantly gives candy to a trick-or-treating Julian). Dugan has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting
(was also a guest star in some episodes), Ally McBeal
, and NYPD Blue
.
Dugan directed The Benchwarmers
, a comedy released on April 7, 2006. The film, co-produced by Adam Sandler
, is about trio of men who try to make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard Little League
squads. Dugan himself has a bit part as Coach Bellows. Dugan directed the 2007 comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
and You Don't Mess with the Zohan
in 2008, both Adam Sandler
vehicles.
Dugan directed Grown Ups
, which follows a group of high school friends who are reunited after thirty years for the Fourth of July. The film stars Adam Sandler
, Kevin James, Chris Rock
, Rob Schneider
, and David Spade
, and was released in the summer of 2010 with major box office success, but was overwhelmingly panned by critics.
Dugan's Just Go With It
was his sixth film with Sandler; the film also starred Jennifer Aniston
and Brooklyn Decker
. Also in 2011, Dugan directed the film Jack & Jill
, again with Sandler. To date, Dugan's films have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide.
in 1973 and divorced her fourteen years later. Now he is married to Sharon O'Connor.
In June 2009, Dugan's son, Kelly Dugan, was drafted with the 75th overall selection by the Philadelphia Phillies
in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, with whom he directed the films Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore is a 1996 sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds for Universal Studios. It stars Adam Sandler as the title character, an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a talent for golf. The screenplay was written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy...
, Big Daddy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a 2007 comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Barry Fanaro, and starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James as the title characters. The film was released on July 20, 2007, in the U.S., August 16, 2007, in Australia and on September 21, 2007, in the UK and...
, You Don't Mess with the Zohan
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Carlito Cabardo, and produced by and starring Adam Sandler. This is the fourth film which has starred Sandler and has been directed by Dugan...
, Grown Ups, Just Go With It
Just Go With It
Just Go with It is a 2011 romantic comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The film was released on , 2011...
, and Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill may refer to:* "Jack and Jill" -Media:* Jack and Jill, an adult film featuring Jack Wrangler* Jack & Jill * Jack and Jill , a 2011 film starring Adam Sandler* Jack and Jill...
.
Life and career
He started his acting career in 1972, appearing in the 1973 made for TV movie The Girl Most Likely to...The Girl Most Likely to...
The Girl Most Likely to... is a black comedy with slight psychological thriller elements written by Joan Rivers and starring Stockard Channing and Edward Asner. The film was released on November 6, 1973 as a made-for-television movie broadcast on the ABC Movie of the Week...
. He has appeared in such films as the 1976 films Harry and Walter Go to New York
Harry and Walter Go to New York
Harry and Walter Go to New York is a 1976 American period comedy film written by John Byrum, directed by Mark Rydell, and starring James Caan, Elliot Gould, Michael Caine, Diane Keaton, Charles Durning and Lesley Ann Warren. In the film, two down-on-their-luck con men try to pull off the biggest...
and Norman, Is That You?
Norman, Is That You?
Norman, Is That You? is a 1970 play in two acts by American playwrights Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick about a Jewish couple coming to terms with their son's homosexuality. The work is notably the first play written by both writers. After 19 preview performances, the play officially opened on Broadway...
. In 1979, he was ideally cast as the time-displaced hero in Unidentified Flying Oddball
Unidentified Flying Oddball
Unidentified Flying Oddball, also known as The Spaceman and King Arthur, is Disney’s film adaptation of Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. It was directed by Russ Mayberry...
, Disney's updated remake of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is an 1889 novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The book was originally titled A Yankee in King Arthur's Court...
. His first notable television appearance was in the Columbo episode "Last Salute to the Commodore", as a young police officer. Then he was the star of the short-lived 1978 series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye
Richie Brockelman, Private Eye
Richie Brockelman, Private Eye is an American detective drama that aired on NBC from March 17, 1978 to April 1978. The series was a spin-off of the Rockford Files.-Premise:...
, playing a character who originated in a telemovie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
, and then made guest appearances in the role of Brockelman on The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files is an American television drama series which aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980. It has remained in regular syndication to the present day. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford and features Noah...
before getting his own show. He took on a semi-regular role as an erstwhile caped-crusader who called himself "Captain Freedom" on Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues is an American serial police drama that was first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. Chronicling the lives of the staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, the show received critical acclaim and its production innovations ...
and also appeared on Empire (1984), and Shadow Chasers
Shadow Chasers
Shadow Chasers is a 1985 American mystery television series created by Brian Grazer and Kenneth Johnson. It includes 13 episodes, nine of which were shown on the ABC television network, the remaining four on the Armed Forces Network...
(1984). He played Walter Bishop, the brief husband of Maddie Hayes (Cybil Shepherd) on Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
. Dugan's films credits of the 1980s include the 1981 horror film The Howling
The Howling (film)
The Howling is a 1981 werewolf-themed horror film directed by Joe Dante. Based on the novel of the same name by Gary Brandner, the screenplay is written by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless...
, the 1987 romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love
Can't Buy Me Love (film)
Can't Buy Me Love is a 1987 teen comedy feature film starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson in a story about a nerd at a high school in Tucson, Arizona who gives a cheerleader $1,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. The film was directed by Steve Rash.-Plot:Ronald Miller is a...
and the 1988 film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking is a 1988 Swedish/American fantasy–adventure–musical film based on the books of the fictional character Pippi Longstocking, created by Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren . While the title suggests the movie is a continuation, it is in...
.
Dugan has also made a career as a television and film director, and appears in cameo parts in many of his films. Films directed by Dennis Dugan include the 1990 comedy Problem Child (with Dugan as an All-American dad), the 2001 comedy Saving Silverman
Saving Silverman
Saving Silverman is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. It stars Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black and Amanda Peet. Neil Diamond has a cameo role playing himself...
(in which Dugan plays a football referee), the 2003 comedy National Security
National Security (film)
National Security is a 2003 action comedy film, directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn. In addition to Lawrence and Zahn, National Security boasts an additional cast of Bill Duke, Eric Roberts, Colm Feore, Matt McCoy, and others.The film was released in January 2003 and...
, and the 1996 and 1999 Adam Sandler comedies Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore is a 1996 sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds for Universal Studios. It stars Adam Sandler as the title character, an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a talent for golf. The screenplay was written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy...
(in which Dugan plays Doug Thompson, the golf tour supervisor) and Big Daddy (with Dugan as a man who reluctantly gives candy to a trick-or-treating Julian). Dugan has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting
Moonlighting (TV series)
Moonlighting is an American television series that aired on ABC from March 3, 1985, to May 14, 1989. The network aired a total of 66 episodes...
(was also a guest star in some episodes), Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia...
, and NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
.
Dugan directed The Benchwarmers
The Benchwarmers
The Benchwarmers is a 2006 American sports-comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. It stars Rob Schneider, Jon Heder, and David Spade. It is produced by Revolution Studios and Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures.-Plot:...
, a comedy released on April 7, 2006. The film, co-produced by Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, is about trio of men who try to make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against standard Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
squads. Dugan himself has a bit part as Coach Bellows. Dugan directed the 2007 comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry is a 2007 comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Barry Fanaro, and starring Adam Sandler and Kevin James as the title characters. The film was released on July 20, 2007, in the U.S., August 16, 2007, in Australia and on September 21, 2007, in the UK and...
and You Don't Mess with the Zohan
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Carlito Cabardo, and produced by and starring Adam Sandler. This is the fourth film which has starred Sandler and has been directed by Dugan...
in 2008, both Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
vehicles.
Dugan directed Grown Ups
Grown Ups (2010 film)
Grown Ups is a 2010 American buddy-comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. Sandler and Fred Wolf wrote the script. The film was produced by Sandler's production company Happy Madison and was distributed by Columbia...
, which follows a group of high school friends who are reunited after thirty years for the Fourth of July. The film stars Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
, Kevin James, Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
, Rob Schneider
Rob Schneider
Robert Michael "Rob" Schneider is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director. A stand-up comic and veteran of the NBC sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in feature films, including starring roles in the comedy films Deuce Bigalow:...
, and David Spade
David Spade
David Wayne Spade is an American actor, comedian and television personality who first became famous in the 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and from 1997 until 2003 when he starred as Dennis Finch on Just Shoot Me!. He also starred as C.J...
, and was released in the summer of 2010 with major box office success, but was overwhelmingly panned by critics.
Dugan's Just Go With It
Just Go With It
Just Go with It is a 2011 romantic comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The film was released on , 2011...
was his sixth film with Sandler; the film also starred Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, a role which earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.Aniston has also enjoyed a successful film career,...
and Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Danielle Decker is an American fashion model and actress best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including the cover of the 2010 issue. In addition to working for Victoria's Secret for the 2010 "Swim" collection, she has ventured into television with guest...
. Also in 2011, Dugan directed the film Jack & Jill
Jack & Jill (film)
Jack and Jill is a 2011 comedy film starring Adam Sandler. Dennis Dugan, who has collaborated with Sandler on most of his films, served as director...
, again with Sandler. To date, Dugan's films have grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide.
Personal life
Dugan has been married twice. He married actress Joyce Van PattenJoyce Van Patten
Joyce Benignia Van Patten is an American stage, film and television actress.-Personal life:Van Patten was born in New York City, the daughter of Josephine Rose , an Italian American magazine advertising executive, and Richard Byron Van Patten, a Dutch American interior decorator.She is the younger...
in 1973 and divorced her fourteen years later. Now he is married to Sharon O'Connor.
In June 2009, Dugan's son, Kelly Dugan, was drafted with the 75th overall selection by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.