Happy Gilmore 2 Cast: Every Cameo & Returning Star

Few comedies still spark the kind of nostalgia that Happy Gilmore does, nearly three decades after Adam Sandler first swung a hockey-style golf swing on screen. Now, with Happy Gilmore 2 arriving in 2025, the sequel is bringing back beloved original characters while stacking the roster with unexpected cameos from music, sports, and comedy. This guide breaks down every confirmed actor, athlete, and surprise appearance in the cast.

Confirmed returning cast members: 4 major names including Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller ·
New celebrity cameos confirmed: At least 8 including Bad Bunny, Eminem, Rory McIlroy, Travis Kelce ·
Release year per IMDb: 2025 ·
IMDb title ID: tt31868189

Five key facts about the sequel, one pattern: while most sequels add star power, Happy Gilmore 2 is layering athlete and musician cameos atop a core returning cast, creating a collage that feels less like a direct follow-up and more like a comedy roast of the original.

Who is in the cast of Happy Gilmore 2?

The core of the Happy Gilmore 2 cast is built around four original actors who defined the 1996 film. According to Netflix Tudum (official studio announcement), Adam Sandler stars as Happy Gilmore, Julie Bowen returns as Virginia Venit, Christopher McDonald reprises his role as Shooter McGavin, and Ben Stiller is back as Hal L. These four anchors give the sequel direct lineage to the original.

Original cast members returning

• Adam Sandler — returns in the title role as Happy Gilmore
• Julie Bowen — reprises her role as Virginia Venit
• Christopher McDonald — reprises his role as Shooter McGavin
• Ben Stiller — returns as Hal L.

New stars added to the sequel

• Bad Bunny — plays Oscar Mejías, described as Happy’s new caddie (Today (lifestyle magazine))
• Eminem — plays Donald Jr., son of the original film’s heckler Donald Sr.
• Benny Safdie — appears as Frank Manatee
• Margaret Qualley — listed in the cast
• Nick Swardson — appears in the film
• Kid Cudi — listed in the cast

The addition of Bad Bunny as a named character rather than a glorified cameo signals that Netflix is investing in him as a supporting role, not just a stunt. Eminem’s casting as Donald Jr., meanwhile, extends a gag from the original film — the heckler who yelled “You’re gonna die, clown!” now has a son on the course.

The implication: Netflix is betting the blend of legacy actors and new talent can bridge a 28-year gap between films.

Is Eminem in Happy Gilmore 2?

Yes, Eminem appears in Happy Gilmore 2 as Donald Jr., according to IMDb full cast & crew (user-contributed database). Coverage from USA Today (national news outlet) confirms the trailer prominently teased his appearance alongside Post Malone.

Eminem’s cameo role confirmed

• Character name: Donald Jr.
• Connection to original: Donald Jr. is reportedly the son of Donald Sr., the heckler from the first film (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• Adam Sandler told USA Today that Eminem spent a full day filming and contributed many lines

How Eminem fits into the story

The character Donald Jr. is positioned as the son of the heckler from the original Happy Gilmore, played by the late Joe Flaherty. This creates a direct narrative thread: the man who once tormented Happy from the gallery now has a son who may continue the feud, or perhaps subvert it.

Is Bad Bunny in Happy Gilmore 2?

Bad Bunny is confirmed for Happy Gilmore 2, playing Oscar Mejías, described as Happy’s new caddie. Today (lifestyle magazine) reports that his role is a proper character rather than a self-cameo, emphasizing his acting commitment.

Bad Bunny’s character details

• Character name: Oscar Mejías
• Role: Happy’s new caddie
• Listed on Netflix Tudum as a new addition

Celebrity cameos from music and sports

Beyond Bad Bunny and Eminem, the film includes a dense cameo roster. Rotten Tomatoes (aggregator database) lists Kid Cudi as a cast member, and the trailer teased Post Malone’s appearance (USA Today).

The pattern: Netflix is using Bad Bunny’s casting as a tentpole — his role as a caddie directly changes the Happy-Virginia-Shooter dynamic, rather than just adding a face in the crowd.

Are any pro golfers appearing in Happy Gilmore 2?

Rotten Tomatoes (aggregator database) lists at least eight professional golfers or sports figures in the cast, making Happy Gilmore 2 one of the most athlete-heavy comedy sequels in recent memory.

Pro golfers in the cast

• Rory McIlroy
• John Daly
• Scottie Scheffler
• Bryson DeChambeau
• Brooks Koepka
• Justin Thomas
• Will Zalatoris
• Paige Spiranac

John Daly as a cameo

John Daly is listed among the cast on Rotten Tomatoes. Daly’s appearance carries extra weight for golf fans familiar with his famously unorthodox swing — a natural parallel to Happy’s hockey-influenced style.

How many cameos are in Happy Gilmore 2?

Based on the Netflix Tudum (official studio announcement) and Rotten Tomatoes (aggregator database), at least eight celebrities from music and sports appear as cameos or supporting roles. USA Today (national news outlet) notes that viewers could spot quick glimpses of Becky Lynch among the cameo montage.

Notable cameo appearances

• Travis Kelce — listed on Netflix Tudum
• Eric André — listed on Rotten Tomatoes
• Steve Buscemi — listed on Rotten Tomatoes
• Becky Lynch — reportedly glimpsed in cameo montage (USA Today)
• Reggie Bush — listed on Rotten Tomatoes
• Dan Patrick — listed on Rotten Tomatoes

Behind-the-scenes casting choices

Sandler’s USA Today interview reveals that Eminem spent a full day filming, suggesting that some cameos involve substantial screen time despite their billing. The blend of musicians (Eminem, Bad Bunny, Kid Cudi, Post Malone), athletes (Travis Kelce, Reggie Bush, Dan Patrick), and comedians (Eric André, Steve Buscemi) creates a cross-industry cast that few sequels attempt.

The implication: Netflix is treating Happy Gilmore 2 as a tentpole event, not a quiet nostalgia play. The cast density signals confidence that each cameo can draw a different audience segment.

The pattern: every cameo functions as a marketing arrow aimed at a distinct demographic.

Timeline: Happy Gilmore’s journey to a sequel

The gap between 1996 and 2024 means that for many viewers, Happy Gilmore 2 arrives after a 28-year pause. The cast’s blend of original actors and modern celebrities is a direct response to that generational shift — the film must satisfy both those who grew up with the original and those discovering it for the first time.

“Adam Sandler told the Dan Patrick Show that Eminem spent a day filming and contributed many lines.”

— USA Today (national news outlet)

“Bad Bunny’s character is Oscar, described in coverage as Happy’s new caddie.”

— Today (lifestyle magazine)

“Coverage identified Eminem’s character Donald Jr. as the son of the original film’s heckler character, Donald Sr., played by Joe Flaherty.”

— Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

“Netflix Tudum confirmed the return of original Happy Gilmore stars alongside new cast additions.”

— Netflix Tudum (official studio announcement)

The Happy Gilmore 2 cast is a deliberate mix of nostalgia and novelty. For Netflix, the calculation is straightforward: the returning quartet brings trust, the athletes bring authenticity to the golf setting, and the musicians bring cross-platform attention. What remains to be seen is whether the script can give all these pieces enough room to land.

For Adam Sandler, the implication is clear: pull off a sequel that honors the original without being trapped by it, or risk the cameo list becoming the only memorable thing about the film.

For a detailed breakdown of every actor and surprise appearance, check out this full cast and cameo guide for Happy Gilmore 2.

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