Few comedy characters have aged as well as Happy Gilmore’s rage-filled golfer, and the announcement of a sequel has fans buzzing about who’s coming back and who’s joining the madness. The cast of Happy Gilmore 2 blends returning favorites with an unexpected mix of musicians, athletes, and comedians. Here’s the complete breakdown of every confirmed actor and rumored cameo, verified from official sources.

Returning cast members from original: 3 (Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald) ·
New confirmed cast members: 6+ (Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller, etc.) ·
Release year: 2025 ·
Director: Kyle Newacheck

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Adam Sandler reprises Happy Gilmore (Wikipedia)
  • Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit (Netflix Tudum)
  • Christopher McDonald returns as Shooter McGavin (Forbes)
  • Benny Safdie plays Frank Manatee (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Eminem cameo – unconfirmed (Rotten Tomatoes lists Eminem as cast, but official sources haven’t confirmed)
  • Billy Madison appearance – not in the sequel (People)
  • Oscar’s cousin actor – not yet announced (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Who plays the caddy – actor unconfirmed (Rotten Tomatoes)
3Timeline signal
  • Release year: 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Director: Kyle Newacheck (Netflix Tudum)
  • Production: Happy Madison Productions, Netflix (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Full trailer released in July 2025 (People)
  • More cameo announcements expected (People)
  • Streaming on Netflix (Netflix Tudum)

The sequel’s production details confirm a stable creative core.

Label Value Source
Director Kyle Newacheck Netflix Tudum
Writers Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy Wikipedia
Producers Jack Giarraputo, Robert Simonds, Adam Sandler Wikipedia
Release Year 2025 Wikipedia
Production Companies Happy Madison Productions, Netflix Wikipedia
Distributor Netflix Netflix Tudum
Genre Sports comedy Wikipedia
Original Film Happy Gilmore (1996) Wikipedia

Who is in the cast of Happy Gilmore 2?

Main cast overview

  • Adam Sandler returns as the hot-tempered golfer Happy Gilmore (Wikipedia).
  • Julie Bowen reprises her role as Happy’s love interest Virginia Venit (Netflix Tudum).
  • Christopher McDonald is back as the smug antagonist Shooter McGavin (Forbes).
  • Benny Safdie joins the cast as Frank Manatee, a new character (Wikipedia).
  • Bad Bunny appears in an undisclosed role (Wikipedia).
  • Ben Stiller returns as Hal L., the orderly from the first film (Netflix Tudum).
Why this matters

The core trio of Sandler, Bowen, and McDonald is the emotional anchor of the sequel. Without them, the nostalgia factor would collapse. Their presence reassures fans that the spirit of the original is intact.

Returning faces

Beyond the leads, several familiar faces from the 1996 film reappear. Steve Buscemi is back as the Gilmores’ neighbor Pat, Robert Smigel reprises his IRS agent role (now a lawyer), and Jonathan Loughran plays the orderly who releases Shooter from the mental facility (Wikipedia). Dennis Dugan and Kevin Nealon also return (People).

New additions

The sequel introduces a wave of new characters. Eric André, Martin Herlihy, and Margaret Qualley play Steiner, Fitzy, and Sally – a trio of young golfers Happy joins (Wikipedia). Austin Post (Post Malone) portrays DJ Omar Gosh, and Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) plays an FBI agent (Wikipedia). Kym Whitley appears as support group member Bessie, and John Farley plays Nate (Wikipedia).

The implication: Happy Gilmore 2 isn’t just a nostalgia trip – it’s building a new ensemble around Happy, setting up fresh dynamics while keeping the old guard close.

Which original cast members are returning?

Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore

Sandler confirmed his return early in production, and the role remains his signature character. According to Netflix Tudum, Sandler co-wrote the script with Tim Herlihy, ensuring the tone matches the original.

Julie Bowen as Virginia

Bowen’s character, the love interest and later wife of Happy, is central to the sequel’s emotional stakes. Her return was confirmed by Netflix and People.

Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin

McDonald’s Shooter is arguably the most iconic antagonist in sports comedy. He’s back, and Forbes notes that his return is a key selling point for the film.

The trade-off

Bringing back every original cast member creates a warm reunion, but it also risks making the sequel feel like a reunion special rather than a fresh story. The new characters need to earn their keep.

The pattern: the three returning leads are the emotional and comedic pillars. Their presence alone justifies the sequel, but the film’s success depends on how well the new cast integrates.

Who are the new cast members and cameos?

Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee

Safdie, known for his dramatic roles, takes on a comedy part as Frank Manatee. According to Wikipedia, his character is a new addition to the golf world.

Bad Bunny in an undisclosed role

The global music star appears in the film, though his role is not yet detailed. Wikipedia lists him as a cast member, and Netflix Tudum confirms his involvement.

Ben Stiller as Hal L.

Stiller reprises his role as the orderly Hal L. from the original film. His return is confirmed by Netflix Tudum and Forbes.

Eminem cameo?

Eminem is listed on the Rotten Tomatoes cast page, but neither Netflix, Sandler, nor any official source has confirmed his appearance. This remains a rumored cameo.

Billy Madison? – Not confirmed

Despite speculation, Adam Sandler’s character Billy Madison does not appear in the sequel. People reports that the film’s focus is on the golf world, not crossovers.

The catch: the line between confirmed and rumored is blurry. Rotten Tomatoes lists many names, but official confirmation lags behind. For now, treat any cameo not explicitly named by Netflix or Sandler as speculative.

Who plays the caddy and other minor roles?

Caddy role

The caddy character, a key supporting role in golf films, is played by an actor not yet officially announced. According to People, the trailer hints at a caddy but no name has been released.

Golfers in the cast

The sequel is packed with real-life golf stars. John Daly, Travis Kelce, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Will Zalatoris, and Lee Trevino all appear as themselves or cameo roles (Rotten Tomatoes). Paige Spiranac also appears (People).

Oscar’s cousin character

A minor character named “Oscar’s cousin” is mentioned in early reports, but the actor is not yet announced. This detail remains unconfirmed.

What this means: the minor roles are a mix of professional athletes and comedians, giving the film an authentic golf-world atmosphere. The unconfirmed caddy and Oscar’s cousin are likely to be revealed closer to release.

Are there child actors in the cast?

Child actors on IMDb

Two young children appear in the film: Vienna (2 years old) played by Giada DeMonte, and Bobby (4 years old) played by Luca DeMonte. These credits are listed on IMDb and have been picked up by People.

Vienna (2 yrs old) – Giada DeMonte

Giada DeMonte’s role as Vienna is a small part, likely a family member in Happy’s world.

Bobby (4 yrs old) – Luca DeMonte

Luca DeMonte plays Bobby, another child character. No further details about the role are available.

The pattern: the inclusion of very young actors suggests a family subplot – possibly Happy’s own children, given the sequel’s themes of legacy and growth.

Confirmed facts

  • Adam Sandler returns as Happy
  • Julie Bowen returns as Virginia
  • Christopher McDonald returns as Shooter
  • Benny Safdie as Frank Manatee
  • Bad Bunny appears
  • Ben Stiller as Hal L.
  • Steve Buscemi, Robert Smigel, Jonathan Loughran return
  • Post Malone, Kid Cudi, Eric André, Margaret Qualley, Kym Whitley, John Farley join
  • Multiple pro golfers cameo
  • Child actors Giada and Luca DeMonte cast

What’s still unclear

  • Eminem cameo (listed on Rotten Tomatoes, not confirmed by Netflix)
  • Billy Madison appearance (confirmed as not happening)
  • Oscar’s cousin actor (not announced)
  • Who plays the caddy (unknown)
  • Full plot details

“The sequel brings back fan favorites and introduces a host of new characters, including musicians, athletes, and comedians.”

— Netflix Tudum

“The film is packed with surprise cameos from athletes and musicians, creating a vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh.”

— People

For fans waiting for the sequel, the cast of Happy Gilmore 2 delivers a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy. The question is no longer who is in it, but how the blend of old and new will play out on screen. For Netflix, the bet is clear: stack the roster with star power, and let the chemistry do the rest. Sandler’s return anchors the film.

Frequently asked questions

Is Happy Gilmore 2 officially released?

The film is set to release in 2025 on Netflix. No exact date has been announced.

Who is the director of Happy Gilmore 2?

Kyle Newacheck is directing the sequel (Netflix Tudum).

Will there be a sequel to Happy Gilmore?

Yes, Happy Gilmore 2 is the official sequel to the 1996 film, announced by Netflix in 2024.

How many new cast members are in Happy Gilmore 2?

At least a dozen new faces have been confirmed, including Benny Safdie, Bad Bunny, Post Malone, and many professional athletes.

Does Adam Sandler play any other character besides Happy?

No, Sandler only plays Happy Gilmore in this film. The rumored Billy Madison cameo has been denied.

Are there any real golfers in the cast?

Yes, multiple top golfers appear, including John Daly, Travis Kelce, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, and Justin Thomas (Rotten Tomatoes).

What is the plot of Happy Gilmore 2?

While the full plot hasn’t been revealed, the sequel follows Happy’s return to golf and the new challenges he faces. The trailer suggests a focus on legacy and family.

Sandler, Bowen, and McDonald are back, and that trio alone guarantees the sequel’s emotional weight. Happy Gilmore 2 bets on nostalgia but needs its new cast – Safdie, Bad Bunny, Stiller – to make it more than a reunion.