Adam Sandler Would Still Be Married to Wife Jackie, Even If He Wasn’t an Actor

Adam Sandler believes he and wife Jackie Sandler were written in the stars.

The actor, 59, attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s star-studded film awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 3, when he was recognized for his work onscreen in the George Clooney-led showbiz comedy-drama, Jay Kelly, and accepted the prestigious Chairman’s Award.

Following an introduction from Laura Dern, Adam gave a speech, in which he spoke about what his life could’ve been if he’d taken his dad up on working for him as an electrical engineer, instead of becoming a successful actor. Adam explained, however, that he believed he and Jackie, 51, would still find their way to each other.

“I sometimes think about it, [if] I didn’t click that year and I did go work for my dad, what my life would be right now,” Adam said. “First off, I’m thinking I’d probably still be married to my wife, Jackie. That’s destiny. Nothing stops that.”

“But we definitely [would] have a different house. Probably, like, 10 less bathrooms and [fewer] statues of me,” he jokingly continued.

Adam and Jackie wed in June 2003. They are parents to two daughters together: Sadie, who was born in 2006, and Sunny, who followed in 2008.

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In director and co-writer Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, Sandler plays Ron Sukenick, put-upon manager of the titular Hollywood star.

The rare dramatic turn from Sandler has also earned him recognition at the Jan. 4 Critics Choice Awards, the Jan. 11 Golden Globe Awards and more. 

“Adam Sandler delivers a deeply moving and career-best performance in Jay Kelly,” said Palm Springs International Film Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi in a Nov. 7 statement.

He added, “It is a performance which underscores his standing as one of the most versatile and respected actors of his generation. We are proud to honor Adam — a singular talent whose work continues to surprise and inspire — with this year’s Chairman’s Award.”

Other Palm Springs International Film Festival award honorees this year included Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amanda Seyfried, Kate Hudson, Michael B. Jordan and more.

Jay Kelly, costarring Clooney, Dern, Billy Crudup, Greta Gerwig, Riley Keough and co-writer Emily Mortimer, is now streaming on Netflix.