Dennis Dugan

Last updated

Dennis Dugan
Born
Dennis Barton Dugan

(1946-09-05) September 5, 1946 (age 77)
EducationGoodman Theater School (BFA)
Occupation(s)Film director, actor, comedian
Years active1968–present
Notable work Problem Child
Brain Donors
Beverly Hills Ninja
National Security
Happy Gilmore
Big Daddy
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Grown Ups
Just Go with It
Jack and Jill
Spouses
(m. 1973;div. 1987)
  • Sharon O'Connor (present)
Children1

Dennis Barton Dugan (born September 5, 1946) is an American film director, actor, and comedian. He is known for directing the films Problem Child , Brain Donors , Beverly Hills Ninja and National Security , and his partnership with comedic actor Adam Sandler, for whom he directed the films Happy Gilmore , Big Daddy , The Benchwarmers , I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry , You Don't Mess with the Zohan , Grown Ups , Just Go with It , Jack and Jill and Grown Ups 2 . Dugan is a four-time Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director nominee, winning once.

Contents

Early life

Dugan was born in Wheaton, Illinois, the second of four sons of Marion, a housewife, and Charles Dugan, an insurance executive. He graduated from The Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University) and started his acting career in 1969 in New York City.

Career

He moved to Hollywood in 1972 and appeared in his first TV show, The Sixth Sense . Later, he played in the 1973 TV movie The Girl Most Likely to... . Other early film appearances include Night Call Nurses (1972), Night Moves (1975), Smile (1975), Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976) and Norman... Is That You? (1976). In 1979, he was cast as the time-displaced hero in Unidentified Flying Oddball , Disney's very loose adaptation of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court . In 1981, he appeared in Joe Dante's The Howling .

Dugan made guest appearances on several TV series during the 1970s including The Mod Squad , The Waltons , Cannon , Columbo, The Rockford Files, and Alice . He also appeared in the mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man , as well as two episodes of M*A*S*H and in 1978 starred in the short-lived series Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, a spin-off from The Rockford Files.

He took on a recurring role as an aspiring caped crusader who called himself "Captain Freedom" on Hill Street Blues . [1] He also appeared on Empire (1984) and Shadow Chasers (1984). He played Walter Bishop, briefly the husband of Maddie Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) on Moonlighting . [2] Dugan's other film credits of the 1980s include Water (1985), Can't Buy Me Love (1987), She's Having a Baby (1988), The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988) and Ron Howard's Parenthood (1989).

Dugan launched a career as a television and film director, making cameo appearances in many of his films. Ones he directed include the comedy Problem Child (1990), Brain Donors (1992), [3] the comedy Saving Silverman (2001) (in which Dugan plays a football referee), the comedy National Security (2003), and the Adam Sandler comedies Happy Gilmore (1996) (in which Dugan plays Doug Thompson, the golf tour supervisor) and Big Daddy (1999) (with Dugan as a man who reluctantly gives candy to a trick-or-treating Julian). Dugan has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting (was also a guest star in some episodes), Ally McBeal , and NYPD Blue .

Dugan directed The Benchwarmers (2006), a comedy co-produced by Sandler, about a trio of men who try to make up for missed opportunities in childhood by forming a three-player baseball team to compete against Little League squads. Dugan himself has a bit part as Coach Bellows in that film while his dad Charles portrayed the Video Stop boss Marty. He then directed two more Sandler vehicles, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007) and You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008).

Dugan directed Grown Ups (2010), which follows a group of high school friends who are reunited after thirty years for the Fourth of July. The film again stars Sandler, along with Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and Maya Rudolph while Dugan had a bit part as a basketball referee; it was released in the summer of 2010 with major box office success.

Dugan's Just Go with It (2011) was his sixth film with Sandler; it also starred Jennifer Aniston and Brooklyn Decker. Dugan directed Jack and Jill (2011), again with Sandler, and Grown Ups 2 (2013), with Sandler, James, Rock and Spade, all reprising their roles while Dugan had a bit part as Dr. Larry. Schneider was unable to reprise his role due to scheduling conflicts.

To date, Dugan's films have grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide. [4]

Personal life

Dugan's first marriage was to actress Joyce Van Patten in 1973. They divorced in 1987, and he later wed Sharon O'Connor, to whom he is still married.

In June 2009, Dugan's son Kelly was drafted with the 75th overall selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Major League Baseball Draft. A graduate of Notre Dame High School of Sherman Oaks, California, he played for five of the club's minor league teams through 2015, followed by shorter stays in the Chicago Cubs (2016) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2017) organizations before moving on to independent baseball (2018–2023). [5]

Filmography

Film

Director

YearTitleNotes
1990 Problem Child
1992 Brain Donors
1996 Happy Gilmore
1997 Beverly Hills Ninja
1999 Big Daddy Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
2001 Saving Silverman Also known as Evil Woman
2003 National Security
2006 The Benchwarmers
2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan
2010 Grown Ups
2011 Just Go with It Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
Jack and Jill
2013 Grown Ups 2 Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director
2020 Love, Weddings & Other Disasters Also writer

Acting roles

YearTitleRole
1976 Norman... Is That You? Garson Hobart
1979 Unidentified Flying Oddball Tom Trimble
1981 The Howling Chris Halloran
1987 Can't Buy Me Love David Miller
1988 She's Having a Baby Bill
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking Mr. Settigren
1989 Parenthood David Brodsky
1996 Happy Gilmore Doug Thompson
1999 Big Daddy Reluctant Trick-or-Treat Giver (uncredited)
2006 The Benchwarmers Coach Bellows
2010 Grown Ups Basketball Referee
2012 That's My Boy School janitor
2013 Grown Ups 2 Dr. Larry
2020 Love, Weddings & Other Disasters Eddie Stone
2024 Knox Goes Away Philo Jones

Television

YearTitleNotes
1973 The Waltons Episode: "The Theft"
1974 Cannon Episode: "The Deadly Trail"
1976 Columbo Episode: "Last Salute to the Commodore"
1978–79 The Rockford Files 3 episodes
1978 Richie Brockelman, Private Eye 5 episodes
1979 Supertrain Episode "Superstar"
1982 Hill Street Blues 4 episodes
1987 Hunter 2 episodes
1988 Wiseguy Episode: "Phantom Pain"
1988–89 Moonlighting 5 episodes
1985–86 Shadow Chasers 14 episodes
1975, 1983 M*A*S*H 2 episodes
1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. Episode: "What Makes Doogie Run"
Columbo Episode: "Butterfly in Shades of Grey"
1993–94 L.A. Law 2 episodes
1993–2004 NYPD Blue
1994 Burke's Law Episode: "Who Killed Nick Hazard?"
1994 Traps
The Byrds of Paradise 2 episodes
1994–95 Picket Fences 2 episodes
1995 Marker Episode: "The Pilot"
Chicago Hope Episode: "Freeze Outs"
1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Episode: "Smooth Sailing"
Ally McBeal Episode: "Alone Again"
1999 Shasta McNasty Episode: "Pilot"
2004 The Mullets Episode: "Silent But Deadly"
2005 Hope & Faith Episode: "Wife Swap" (Parts 1 and 2)

TV movies

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Sandler</span> American comedian and actor (born 1966)

Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor and comedian. Primarily a comedic leading actor in films, his accolades include nominations for three Grammy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2023, Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Schneider</span> American actor, comedian, and screenwriter (born 1963)

Robert Michael Schneider is an American actor, comedian and anti-vaccine activist. After several years performing stand-up comedy, Schneider achieved wider success as a cast member and writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1988 to 1994.

<i>Happy Gilmore</i> 1996 film by Dennis Dugan

Happy Gilmore is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, produced by Robert Simonds, and starring Adam Sandler in the title role, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Carl Weathers.

<i>Big Daddy</i> (1999 film) 1999 film directed by Dennis Dugan

Big Daddy is a 1999 American comedy-drama film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Steve Franks, Tim Herlihy, and Adam Sandler from a story conceived by Franks, and produced by Sid Ganis and Jack Giarraputo. The film stars Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, and Leslie Mann, with Allen Covert and Josh Mostel in supporting roles. The plot follows a 32-year-old man who gets dumped by his girlfriend for not accepting responsibility and then tries to be responsible by adopting a five-year-old boy who appears on his doorstep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Smigel</span> American comedian, writer, puppeteer and actor

Robert Smigel is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, and puppeteer, known for his Saturday Night Live "TV Funhouse" cartoon shorts and as the puppeteer and voice behind Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. He also co-wrote the first two Hotel Transylvania films, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, and Leo, all starring Adam Sandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin James</span> American comedian and actor (born 1965)

Kevin George Knipfing, known professionally as Kevin James, is an American comedian and actor. He began his career by performing stand-up at comedy clubs on Long Island in the 1980s. He rose to prominence for his portrayal of Doug Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens (1998–2007), for which he received the nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Heder</span> American actor

Jonathan Joseph Heder is an American actor. He is best known for his role as the title character of the 2004 comedy film Napoleon Dynamite. He has also appeared in the films Just Like Heaven, The Benchwarmers, School for Scoundrels, Blades of Glory, Mama's Boy, When in Rome, and as Roy Disney in Walt Before Mickey. He also provided voice work for the animated films Monster House, Surf's Up, and Pinocchio, as well as the Napoleon Dynamite animated series.

Happy Madison Productions, Inc. is an American film and television production company founded in 1999 by Adam Sandler, which is best known for its comedy films. Happy Madison takes its name from the films Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, and distributed by Universal Pictures.

Allen Stephen Covert is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for his starring role in the 2006 comedy film Grandma's Boy, and his supporting actor role in the movie Strange Wilderness (2008). He is a frequent collaborator of actor and friend Adam Sandler with prominent roles in such films as Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000), Mr. Deeds (2002), Anger Management (2003), 50 First Dates (2004) and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007).

<i>The Benchwarmers</i> 2006 American film

The Benchwarmers is a 2006 American sports-comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Allen Covert and Nick Swardson, produced by Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo. Starring Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Heder, Jon Lovitz, Craig Kilborn, Molly Sims, and Tim Meadows with supporting roles by Nick Swardson, Erinn Bartlett, Amaury Nolasco, Bill Romanowski, Sean Salisbury, Matt Weinberg, John Farley, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Gnoffo, it tells the story of three nerds and a billionaire forming the titular baseball team to take on the little league baseball teams.

<i>I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry</i> 2007 film by Dennis Dugan

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry is a 2007 American buddy comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. It stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James as the title characters Chuck Levine and Larry Valentine, respectively, two New York City firefighters who pretend to be a gay couple in order to ensure one of their children can receive healthcare; however, things worsen when an agent decides to verify their story. Released in the United States on July 20, 2007, as Sandler's first role in a Universal Pictures film since Bulletproof in 1996, it grossed $187.1 million against an $85 million budget, but received generally negative reviews from critics.

Peter Francis Dante is an American character actor, comedian and singer. He frequently appeared in films from Happy Madison Productions alongside Adam Sandler.

Jonathan Loughran is an American actor who is in most Happy Madison films with his friend and actor Adam Sandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Farley (actor)</span> American actor and comedian (b. 1968)

John Patrick Farley is an American actor and comedian. He is the youngest brother of actor and comedian Chris Farley.

Timothy Patrick Herlihy is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and playwright.

<i>You Dont Mess with the Zohan</i> 2008 film directed by Dennis Dugan

You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American satirical action comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan; written by Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel, and Judd Apatow; produced by Sandler and Jack Giarraputo; and starring Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, and Rob Schneider with supporting roles by Kevin Nealon, Ido Mosseri, Dave Matthews, Michael Buffer, Charlotte Rae, Sayed Badreya, and Daoud Heidami.

Jack Giarraputo is an American film producer who co-founded Happy Madison with Adam Sandler. Most of his work has been in films starring Sandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Spade</span> American comedian and actor (born 1964)

David Wayne Spade is an American comedian and actor. After several years as a stand-up comedian, Spade rose to prominence as a writer and cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1996. Following his departure from SNL, he began an acting career in both film and television, starring or co-starring in the films Tommy Boy (1995), Black Sheep (1996), Senseless (1998), Joe Dirt (2001), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), The Benchwarmers (2006), Grown Ups (2010) and its 2013 sequel, The Ridiculous 6 (2015), The Do-Over (2016), and The Wrong Missy (2020).

<i>Grown Ups</i> (film) 2010 film by Dennis Dugan

Grown Ups is a 2010 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Adam Sandler and Fred Wolf, produced by Sandler and Jack Giarraputo, and starring Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, and Maya Rudolph with supporting roles done by Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Joyce Van Patten, Ebony Jo-Ann, Jamie Chung, and Di Quon. The film tells a story of five lifelong friends who won their junior high school basketball championship in 1978. They reunite three decades later for a 4th of July weekend after learning about the sudden death of their basketball coach.

<i>Grown Ups 2</i> 2013 American film by Dennis Dugan

Grown Ups 2 is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Adam Sandler, Fred Wolf, and Tim Herlihy, and produced by Sandler and Jack Giarraputo. It is a sequel to the 2010 film Grown Ups and stars Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, and Nick Swardson with supporting roles done by Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Shaquille O'Neal, Alexander Ludwig, and Georgia Engel. It follows Lenny, who moves his family to his old hometown. While spending time with his old friends, he and his companions must soon face bizarre situations and new enemies in the form of a local fraternity.

References

  1. Weisman, Jon (December 3, 2010). "Remembering Dennis Dugan and Captain Freedom on 'Hill Street Blues'". Variety . Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  2. Kaufman, Joanne; Sheff, Viki (March 28, 1988). "Moonlighting's New Groom, Dennis Dugan, May Be Tv's Most Hated Hubby". People .
  3. Maslin, Janet (April 18, 1992). "A Night At the Ballet Run Amok". The New York Times .
  4. Heisler, Steve (December 3, 2010). "Dennis Dugan: A quiet hitmaker". Variety . Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  5. "Kelly Dugan Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference . Retrieved September 26, 2022.