Adam Sandler's teacher told him to quit acting but had the best response when he saw them years later

Adam Sandler was once told by his acting professor that he should quit his dream of becoming a star and had an incredible response when he bumped into him years later.

While studying at New York University, Sandler had one particular professor who didn't have much faith in him as an actor and suggested that it might be best for him to consider another career.

The story was shared by fellow Hollywood star Brad Pitt on Variety Studios: Actors on Actors back in 2019, who says he first heard the story from a director he was working with.

Seeking confirmation of the tale, Pitt said: “You were at NYU, and it was your acting coach, or acting professor, I believe. He took you out for a beer and he kindly said to you, ‘Think about something else. Listen, you got heart, but you don’t have it. Choose another path'.”

Of course, Sandler decided to completely ignore the advice and has gone on to have a lengthy and impressive acting career carving a name for himself as a comedy star with roles in The Waterboy, Big Daddy and Happy Gilmore, as well as flexing his more serious acting muscles in Uncut Gems and Hustle.

Netflix

So, put yourself in Sandler’s shoes - you get told by your teacher you won’t make it as an actor, you thoroughly prove them wrong and then you run into them again. What do you do? Gloat, right? Point out that they were wrong and you were right?

Well, not if you’re Sandler - he took a far classier approach.

Pitt picked up: “There’s a second part to this story. This is why it’s my favourite Adam Sandler story and I think it says a lot about you.

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“You ran into him when you were getting the ultimate payday, you were with a bunch of friends. Anyone would think that's the opportunity to rub it in his face.

"Reportedly, what you did was, you said, ‘Hi’ and you introduced him to your friends and you said, ‘This is the only teacher to ever buy me a beer'. That’s the guy I know, and I think that’s why you’re here after all these years.”

Sandler then confirmed the story was indeed true before telling Pitt: “I love you. I gotta tell you, when you tell me I did good in Uncut Gems that feels good. What you’ve been doing and crushing for so long. I’m so much more comfortable with comedy, and if you’re saying well in this, that does feel good.”

Topics: Adam Sandler, Celebrity, Film and TV, Brad Pitt

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.