DENVER — At a gator farm situated in southern Colorado, a renowned alligator known for appearing in a range of TV programs and movies over three decades, most notably the 1996 Adam Sandler film “Happy Gilmore,” has passed away.
The Colorado Gator Farm made an announcement via Facebook on Sunday stating that Morris, the alligator, had reached at least 80 years of age, based on growth rate and tooth loss. At the time of his passing, Morris weighed 640 pounds (290 kilograms) and stretched nearly 11 feet (3.3 meters) in length.
Jay Young, the owner and operator of the farm, expressed deep emotion while discussing Morris’ passing. In a video, he gently touched the alligator’s head, reminiscing, “He started behaving unusually about a week ago. He wasn’t coming after us or taking any food.” Despite the unconventional nature of forming bonds with alligators, Young admitted to feeling a strong attachment to Morris and the other animals, stating, “He had a happy life here, and his passing was due to old age.”
Morris’ incredible journey began when he was discovered in a Los Angeles backyard being kept as an illegal pet. In 1975, he embarked on a Hollywood career, eventually retiring in 2006 and relocating to the Colorado Gator Farm in Mosca, a small town. His illustrious career included roles in films like “Interview with the Vampire,” “Dr. Dolittle 2,” and “Blues Brothers 2000.” Not just restricted to films, Morris made appearances on television shows such as “Coach,” “Night Court,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” often alongside the late wildlife expert Steve Irwin.
However, among all his roles, his appearance in “Happy Gilmore” stood out as the most iconic. In this film, Adam Sandler portrayed a frustrated hockey player who stumbles upon a knack for golf. A memorable scene involved Sandler’s character engaging with Morris after the reptile swallowed a golf ball.
In response to Morris’ death, Sandler took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute on Wednesday. He humorously recounted the gator’s demanding nature on set, “We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, and costumers — really anyone with arms or legs — but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film.” Sandler fondly recalled a specific day where Morris refused to leave his trailer without the promise of 40 heads of lettuce, saying it was a lesson in upholding one’s artistic standards.
The Colorado Gator Farm, operational to the public since 1990, has expressed plans to conserve Morris’ legacy by preserving his body. They revealed, “We have decided to get Morris taxidermied so that he can continue to scare children for years to come. It’s what he would have wanted.”