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Adam Sandler is ready to put the suits back in his closet.
The actor, 59, and costar Laura Dern recently chatted with Entertainment Tonight about their new film, Jay Kelly. Before the interview kicked off, Sandler acknowledged that he’s worn more suits than usual throughout this press tour.
“It’s been horrendous,” the actor said. “I don’t like the feeling.”
“I think I only have three different suits, and one of them I don’t like,” he continued, adding that he doesn’t like any part of a suit.
“I can’t stand the pants,” he said. “I can’t stand the jackets, the stupid shirts. Hate them all.”
Even when he was complimented on his new look, he retorted, “No … Thank you.”
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The Uncut Gems star is known for a typically relaxed look that consists of a hoodie or a printed button-up shirt, baggy shorts, socks and sneakers. However, he’s had to trade in that look for sleek suits while promoting Jay Kelly, which stars George Clooney in the title role.
During the movie’s New York Film Festival premiere in September, Clooney, 64, told PEOPLE he’s influenced some of Sandler’s recent style moments. He even insisted Sandler start incorporating suits into his wardrobe.
“I actually [have] been making Adam wear suits,” Clooney told PEOPLE on the Sept. 29 red carpet. “Don’t you think he looks nicer instead of those big baggy shorts?”
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Those baggy shorts have become Sandler’s signature style and a trend. The comedian said in a July interview with Complex that “it’s funny as hell” that he’s “unintentionally kind of become a style icon.”
Sandler’s style has given birth to the “Sandlercore” or “Madam Sandler” trends on TikTok. In August 2024, he told PEOPLE that he didn’t know how to feel about his look becoming popular, adding, “But here I am wearing goofy clothes, and I don’t know. I don’t think about it.”
While Clooney had some notes about Sandler’s style, he praised his costar for his performance.
“This film — more than any film Adam has done — shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is,” Clooney told Vanity Fair in August. “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.’ ”
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.”
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Jay Kelly is in select theaters Nov. 14, then hits Netflix on Dec. 5.
