Adam Sandler given highly prestigious lifetime achievement award for comedy

'One funny movie and 500 razzies'

Sandler, 56, was awarded the prize on Sunday, and now joins comedy legends like Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Bill Murray and Whoopi Goldberg. Bill Cosby, the 2009 recipient, had his award rescinded in 2019 amid multiple allegations of sexual assault.

Presenters including Drew Barrymore, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Buscemi, Dana Carvey, and Luis Guzmán spoke highly of the actor's output and longevity. But also made fun of the fact he always casts his mates in his movies, NBC News noted.

The actor's longtime collaborator, Tim Herily, joked the pair were responsible for “31 motion pictures with a combined Rotten Tomatoes score of 59", according to the network's report.

Judd Apatow, who was Sandler's roommate during their early days in LA, told the audience the comic was always destined for super-stardom: “The moment you met him, you knew Adam was going to be a big star,” he said.

“And so did Adam.”

In accepting the award, Sandler paid tribute to his parents and siblings for arming him with “that weird irrational confidence thing that I guess I still have."

Sandler, like a lot of US comics, first made a name for himself on Saturday Night Live. He is the seventh cast member to win the award.

The comedian has made 30 films since, with NBC noting, they've grossed over $3 billion worldwide.

His top comedy hits include, Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer, but in recent years his performances in dramas like, Uncut Gems and Hustle has also been lauded.

Like the reaction to most of Sandler's movies, people are divided over him winning the prestigious award.

One person wrote: "One funny movie and 500 razzies."

Another person added: "Adam Sandler is good. But 'the Mark Twain Award lifetime of comedy' good? Maybe. But I have to wonder… are they running out of comedians? There had to be a better choice this year."

A third added: "Adam Sandler is receiving the Mark Twain Award. Who's presenting it to him, Rob Schneider?"

However, some did recognise the leg-up Sandler had given to so many other actors.

"Never found him terribly funny outside of SNL (when he had writers to give him good material). But I definitely admire him for using his success to boost other comedians, and that alone makes him deserving of this award," another person wrote.

Related links:

• Adam Sandler movie with rare low Rotten Tomatoes score is now on Netflix
• Adam Sandler breaks Rotten Tomatoes record with latest movie Hustle
• Adam Sandler reunites with hostess who turned him away