Adam Sandler is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but fans have long wondered whether he was fired from Saturday Night Live (SNL) or if he left voluntarily.
In a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sandler finally addressed the speculation. He revealed that his departure wasn’t entirely his choice.
“It was kind of like them asking us to quit,” Sandler explained. “There were new people on the network, and apparently, they didn’t like me and Chris (Farley), so they sort of said goodbye to us in a nice way. Lorne (Michaels) was great to us; he wanted to protect us.”
Reports suggest that Sandler and Farley weren’t let go due to any wrongdoing. Instead, their comedic style didn’t align with the direction NBC executives wanted for the show at the time.
During SNL’s 20th and 21st seasons, the show transitioned between major cast members, including Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and Sandler. Myers left to focus on his film career, particularly Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, while Sandler also moved on to explore new opportunities.
Despite his exit from SNL, Sandler’s career flourished. He quickly became a household name with a string of hit comedies, including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, and Big Daddy. His films remain fan favorites, enjoyed by audiences around the world.