Kathy Bates Admits Threw Away ‘The Waterboy’ Script, Later Called Adam Sandler a ‘Genius’

Kathy Bates initially discarded the script for the 1998 comedy The Waterboy because she was unfamiliar with actor Adam Sandler, according to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The Oscar-winning actress revealed the story during a video conversation with the publication, detailing how her niece’s intervention led her to reconsider the role.

Why did Kathy Bates initially discard the ‘The Waterboy’ script?

Bates recalled receiving the script for The Waterboy, a sports comedy centered around a socially awkward water boy played by Sandler. “I didn’t know who Adam Sandler was,” she said. “I read 12 pages and thought, ‘This is ridiculous.’” She tossed the script into the trash before her niece intervened. “She said, ‘What is this?’ I told her, ‘It’s a script that some kid Adam Sandler wrote,’ and she responded, ‘Adam Sandler! You don’t know the Hanukkah song?’”

The reference was to Sandler’s 1994 Saturday Night Live hit “The Chanukah Song,” which helped establish his comedic reputation. After her niece’s reminder, Bates reevaluated the script. “I took another look and thought, ‘I’ll do this for Linda,’ and it turned out to be the most fun,” she said, referring to director Frank Coraci. “He’s brilliant. He’s a genius.”

What role did Bates play in ‘The Waterboy’?

In The Waterboy, Bates portrayed Mama Boucher, the overprotective, devoutly Christian mother of Sandler’s character, Bobby Boucher. The film, which grossed $135 million worldwide, marked a pivotal moment in Sandler’s career, solidifying his status as a box office draw. Bates later reflected on the experience, calling it a “deep end” dive into comedy that “had a great time” with Sandler.

How did Bates’ experience with ‘Matlock’ influence her career?

Bates also discussed her decision to join the legal drama Matlock, which was renewed for a third season in 2024. The actress admitted she nearly passed on the role after a previous project left her disillusioned. “I had one foot out the door,” she said. “Then I read the script and my friend Billy told me to finish it. There was a great twist at the end.”

The series, which stars Bates as retired lawyer Madeline Matlock, has been praised for its blend of courtroom drama and social commentary. “It’s about something,” Bates said. “A woman with a real mission in the real world.” The show’s success has provided stability in an industry marked by uncertainty, with Bates noting, “A big part of our joy is that we have a place to go every day.”

What does Bates’ story reveal about her career choices?

Bates’ account highlights her willingness to take risks, even when initial impressions were unfavorable. Her decision to revisit the The Waterboy script and later commit to Matlock underscores a career defined by adaptability. “At my age, I’m going to be 80 in two years,” she said. “I want to be part of something that matters.”