CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kym Whitley doesn’t golf, but that didn’t stop her from appearing in the highly anticipated comedy “Happy Gilmore 2.”
The actress/comedian is excited about Adam Sandler’s sequel, which debuts Friday, July 25, on Netflix.
While the 1979 Shaker Heights High School graduate wasn’t in the original 1996 flick, she was admittedly a big fan before eventually getting to know and work with the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member turned popular Hollywood actor.
We recently caught up with Whitley to talk about the film, her friend Sandler and a serious love for the mighty Romanburger.
Hello, Kym. Congrats on the film. What are your memories of the original “Happy Gilmore?”
It’s all about golf, but I’m not a golfer. So it made you watch golf, it made you laugh. It was just a funny comedy with so many cameos. Everything was crazy because Adam always takes it to the edge of comedy and then he’ll go over the edge. That’s what makes you laugh aloud.
Adam Sandler in “Happy Gilmore 2,” which debuts July 25 on Netflix. (Courtesy of Netflix)Courtesy of Netflix
So what went through your mind when you got the call to be in the sequel?
It’s not my first film with Adam. That was “Hubie Halloween.” He’s also called me for other films and my schedule didn’t work. But one thing about the Happy Madison Productions family, once you’re in, you’re in. They will call you for every film. If you’re funny, they’re going to bring you back, so it’s just like being at a family reunion every time.
(Left to right) Sadie Sandler as Charlotte, Ben Stiller as Hal L. and Kym Whitley as Bessie in “Happy Gilmore 2.” (Courtesy of Scott Yamano/Netflix)Scott Yamano/Netflix
Speaking of golf, did you putt-putt much in your Shaker Heights youth?
Oh, absolutely. Also, growing up in Shaker, I lived right there on Shaker Boulevard and Courtland Boulevard, so straight down was the Shaker Heights Country Club. My brothers might’ve gone down there, but I never went. It was so elite. Not really a place for kids to hang out.
In terms of seeing comedy in Cleveland during your younger days, where did you go and what are your memories?
Growing up in Cleveland, there are so many funny people. Steve Harvey, I always looked up to him, and then Arsenio Hall. I felt like I could make it being funny. There was never a doubt that I could not make it. What I didn’t see were any women from Cleveland. And Hilarities always seemed to be at a distance — it’s still foreign to me. It’s always the club where you see that great person. By the time I got to The Improv, which is now the Funny Bone, I’d been in there myself. And I always return there once a year. I’m coming back Nov. 28 and 29 at the Funny Bone.
So when you return to Northeast Ohio, what are your go-to food options?
(Laughs) OK, here we go. I gotta get a sip of water here. Now, when you talk about Cleveland and food, I have me some Whitmore’s Bar-B-Q and Archie’s Hough Bakery. And I have to get a Romanburger at Mr. Hero. In fact, I was just home and because Yvette Nicole Brown is also from Cleveland and loves the Romanburger, I went to Mr. Hero and asked the manager to freeze everything. Then I brought it back to Los Angeles and we had a party. It was so good.
Finally, expectations are really high for “Happy Gilmore 2.” What’s your message to fans?
It’s been 29 years and “Happy Gilmore” returns. People are always worrying about sequels, but they don’t have anything to be worried about. This thing is packed with honey. Adam Sandler always brings the funny. There’s also a lot of returning faces, a lot of new faces and just fun. People should just get ready to have a great summer blockbuster — a movie that is going to be great for the whole family. They will not be disappointed.
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