NEED TO KNOW
Could Adam Sandler be adding an Academy Award to his trophy shelf?
The actor and comedian addressed Oscar buzz for his performance in Jay Kelly in an interview with PEOPLE at the movie’s New York City premiere on Monday, Sept. 29, where he was joined by wife Jackie Sandler and their daughters Sadie, 19, and Sunny, 16.
“Well, that’s real cool and real nice of everybody to say, and I’m just happy I got to be in it,” Sandler, 59, tells PEOPLE. “My man Noah Baumbach wrote it, kind of put it all together, got the performances he wanted out of everybody, and I’m proud to be in it.”
Jay Kelly is the first movie by Marriage Story director Baumbach, 56, since 2022’s White Noise and stars Sandler alongside George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and Billy Crudup.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Cindy Ord/Getty
“Everybody knows Jay Kelly, but Jay Kelly doesn’t know himself,” reads a tagline for the dramedy, shared when Netflix first unveiled its released date and an image of Clooney, 64, in the film in May.
The film “follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (Clooney) and his devoted manager Ron (Sandler) as they embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe,” per a synopsis. “Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind.”
Jay Kelly received a 10-minute standing ovation during the Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 28, per Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
As the applause continued, Clooney kissed his wife Amal, who looked emotional in her seat just behind him. He then hugged Sandler and Baumbach, who also embraced one another.
Peter Mountain/Netflix
While an Oscar nomination for Jay Kelly would mark Sandler’s first, the actor, known more for his comedic roles, previously flexed some of his dramatic chops in films like Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Reign Over Me (2007) and Uncut Gems (2019).
In a joint Vanity Fair interview with Clooney published on Aug. 4, Sandler said his newest movie was “heavy” at times. But, Clooney emphasized, Sandler has range beyond his comedic projects and roles — and his skill is plain to see in Jay Kelly.
“This film — more than any film Adam has done — shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is,” he said.
“I kept telling the cast, ‘Don’t call him Sand Man. Don’t talk to him like he’s just some goofy comedian. He’s actually a really beautiful, wonderful actor,’ ” Clooney continued.
He added, “Because of what his paycheck is, which is doing big goofy comedies, when he does these other, beautiful, Uncut Gems kinds of movies, it reminds people of that.”
Jay Kelly is in select theaters Nov. 14 and on Netflix Dec. 5.
