Julie Bowen reflects on reprising her 'Happy Gilmore' role alongside Adam Sandler nearly 30 years later as the iconic sequel hits Netflix

Julie Bowen portrayed Happy’s love interest Virginia Venit in the original film and has since become a household name for her role as Claire Dunphy in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family. She held the role for over a decade and was nominated six times for a Primetime Emmy Award, taking home two trophies.

Happy Gilmore 2 marks Bowen and Sandler’s third collaboration, following the 1996 comedy and 2020’s Hubie Halloween. “He’s the kindest, nicest, he really is,” she gushed of Sandler.

Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Rich Eisen speak onstage during Netflix Tudum 2025. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Netflix “Adam’s like, ‘Stop saying that.

Julie Bowen is more than happy to be reprising one of her her roles 30 years later for the upcoming sequel “Happy Gilmore 2.” Bowen starred in the 1996 original film as Virginia Venit, a representative for the professional golf tour that Adam Sandler’s titular character joins on a whim.