Adam Sandler has made a career and massive fortune (think $420 million) thanks to his willingness to do anything for a laugh — The Guardian once called him a “goofy chipmunk known for fart jokes” — but the Brooklyn native has a serious side too. He’s shown it off on the big screen only a few times, like in 2019’s Uncut Gems which sparked major Oscar buzz and surprise, but Sandler’s serious streak is nothing new to his family. Off-screen, he has little in common with his most famous movie characters.
For the past 22 years, Adam Sandler has enjoyed a strong, unshakeable romance with Jacqueline Sandler (née Titone) and has embraced the joys — and stresses — of fatherhood while raising their two daughters. Over the years, the couple has worked together repeatedly and shared numerous sweet moments on various red carpets, but for the most part, Jacqueline (or Jackie) has kept a pretty low profile. Here’s everything you need to know about Mrs. Sandler, plus the secret to the couple’s long-lasting relationship.
Who is Jacqueline Sandler?
Even if the name ‘Jacqueline Sandler’ doesn’t immediately ring a bell, if you’re a fan of Adam Sandler’s films, you’ve seen his wife on the big screen. Born in Coral Springs, Florida, Jackie got her start in the modeling world after graduating from Stoneman Douglas High School (where she was a cheerleader) and, according to the Sun Sentinel, she didn’t do too badly for herself. The budding young model reportedly booked a number of campaigns and earned “about five grand a day for fashion shoots,” but she soon decided to pursue a different avenue: acting.
Jackie’s very first movie role was in 1999’s Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo and although it was only a small part (she played Sally), it would change her life forever. The aspiring actress managed to catch the eye of the film’s star, Rob Schneider, who soon put in a good word with his friend, Adam Sandler. The latter then cast her in his 1999 movie Big Daddy. Although it was another bit part (she landed the role of Waitress), it led to something major: marriage.
One encounter can change everything
Big Daddy was released in June 1999 and while it didn’t help Jackie’s career blow up (she’s since become a Queen of Cameos with over 30 film credits to her name and a small recurring role in the 2016 sitcom Kevin Can Wait), it forever changed her personal life.
By the time the movie hit theaters, Jackie and Adam had already begun dating and they didn’t waste any time looking ahead to the future. The following year, Jackie converted to Judaism. Sandler has always been unabashedly proud of his Jewish roots and by converting from Christianity to Judaism, Jackie was undoubtedly taking the first step towards a shared life together.
Jump to June 2003 and the happy couple tied the knot in a Jewish ceremony at Dick Clark’s Malibu estate. They then switched their focus to family and welcomed their first child together, daughter Sadie, in 2006. Daughter Sunny followed in 2008.
Parenthood changes you — and that’s OK
You may not be able to picture Adam Sandler as a dad, but as he once told the Huffington Post, family means everything to him. Even if fatherhood does come with big rewards and sometimes even bigger challenges. “My kids give me the most joy, but there are life adjustments,” he told the outlet, revealing,
“I don’t go out to meet anyone after 9:30 at night. I eat dinner at 6 or 7. If someone makes me stay out until 10:30 at night, I’m angry the entire next day because I’m exhausted.”
The comedian went on to reveal that he’s “a worrier,” sharing, “I’ve learned in life now that when your kid is upset you’re rocked until they’re not upset anymore. Even when they’re not upset, you’re rocked,” he said. “You’re always nervous because you want your kid to be happy. Now, I understand why my folks were always saying, ‘Be nice and be safe. Make sure everyone in the family is OK. That’s the most important thing,’” he continued. “Making sure everyone in the family is OK is the most important thing. If the family hurts then you hurt.”
Jackie’s support is unconditional
While Jackie’s career may not have risen to the caliber of her husband’s, she’s never allowed his success to drive a wedge into their relationship. In fact, she’s offered her husband nothing but unconditional support, even when it comes to kissing other women on-screen.
When Ellen DeGeneres asked Sandler how his wife feels about his multiple rom-coms with Drew Barrymore (more specifically, about him repeatedly kissing the actress), he shared that “it’s like the best thing that my wife loves Drew so much that she encourages me! There’s no jealousy at all. She’s just like, ‘Get in there!’” he laughed.
The funnyman went on to reveal that once on the Blended set, while filming a “nice romantic scene,” he was sure he was “doing pretty great being as romantic as I can be” until Jackie told him otherwise. “I just see my wife [shaking her head and she says,] ‘Just please, for the sake of women, get in there and just look a little more alive,’” he recalled.
Sandler shared a similar anecdote while promoting 2019’s Murder Mystery in which he and Jennifer Aniston play a married couple while Jackie has a cameo (of course) playing the Great Looking Flight Attendant. When asked about working with his real-life wife and his on-screen wife at the same time, Adam told the Associated Press that “the only awkward part is hearing my wife on the side going, ‘Harder! Harder! Kiss her harder! Deeper!’”
But Jackie’s support goes well beyond encouraging her husband’s romantic portrayals. As the actor told Ellen in 2019, she also gives him courage to take risks. Speaking about his decision to take on a role outside his comfort zone and portray a gambling addict in crime drama Uncut Gems, he revealed, “I read it, I loved the movie, but I was scared to do it. Then I asked Jackie to read it. We do this together, me and Jackie, we discuss what I’m going to do, and she gives me strength and courage to jump into this stuff,” he admitted, adding that Jackie loved the script and was the one who pushed him to accept the role.
The secret to their happy union is simple
Adam and Jackie Sandler have been together for 22 years and their bond is as strong as it’s ever been. Celebrating their anniversary in July 2020, the actor recalled on Instagram how “22 years ago today we locked eyes and fell deep. Look forward to the next 22, young lady,” he continued, gushing, “Love you my forever girl.”
Opening up about their secret to wedded bliss, Sandler told Closer Weekly that it’s as simple as it gets. According to the comedian, it’s “just getting time together. Making sure that you don’t run off too long and hanging out together and telling the truth and that kind of thing’s good,” he explained.
He also noted the importance of being honest and spending time together while chatting with ET Canada, saying that, when you share a deep connection, “you know when your wife’s not the happiest she’s ever been, or husband, and it’s good to [talk it out]. Just an hour hanging out together makes us rocking again.”
If I feel the energy of ‘I can’t stand you Adam,’ I say ‘Come on, let’s head down the road, let’s get you something’ and we’re sitting, just talking. I’ll just listen to [Jackie] talk about anything [she] wants to talk about.
There are multiple facets to every personality and just because Adam Sandler has made a name for himself showing off his silly side doesn’t mean that’s all there is to him. The actor’s 22-year relationship sure proves that, as does his down-to-earth approach to marriage and his devotion to his family. Making a union work doesn’t require huge gestures or magic. As Adam and Jackie Sandler show us, something as simple (and underrated) as carving out ‘us time,’ talking every day and listening to one another can make all the difference. Falling in love at first sight doesn’t hurt either!
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