Comedian, actor, writer and producer -- as well as former "Saturday Night Live" castmember -- Adam Sandler is the man behind a genre of comedy blockbusters such as "Billy Madison" in 1995 and "The Waterboy" in 1998. Sandler's character creations are known for being hapless, moronic outsiders entangled in absurdly improbable circumstances. But critics be damned, the adolescent-skewed offerings proved to be box office gold and Sandler has repeated his success with endless variations on the same formula - including producing similar films starring good friends David Spade and Rob Schneider.

First parlaying his vulnerable dimwit persona into romantic comedies like "The Wedding Singer" in '98, Sandler began to show subtler, more human shades in other people's works including Paul Thomas Anderson's "Punch-Drunk Love," for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination, and James L. Brooks' "Spanglish." With his tried-and-true formula beginning to lose audiences to "smarter" comedies, Sandler teamed with Judd Apatow for "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" in 2008 and "Funny People" in 2009, which saw Sandler delving deeper into acting than ever before. The comedian continued his softer direction with "Grown Ups," a reunion picture with many of his SNL buddies.

Adam Sandler's formula may have altered a bit through the years, but his heart stayed true to his particular brand of sweet-hearted, goofy comedy.

Sandler formed his film production company, Happy Madison Productions, in 1999, first producing fellow SNL alumnus Rob Schneider's film "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo." Happy Madison has produced all of Sandler's subsequent films to date with the exceptions "Punch-Drunk Love" and "Spanglish." Other films include "The House Bunny," "Grandma's Boy" and "Big Daddy."

Comedians, Entertainers, Faith & Religion, Judaism, Actors, Entertainment Industry, Politics, Republican Party, Health & Wellness, Jewish, Religious, Religious speakers, Comedy, Celebrity & Entertainment, Film Industry