Growing up, Adam Sandler was inspired by his close-knit family. He always had an interest in comedy, and even used to perform impressions of his own grandmother in front of her and his family. As Sandler shared in a “60 Minutes” interview, his impersonation was always well received. By the time he reached his early adulthood, the actor had his eyes on NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, an institution with notable alumni such as Alec Baldwin and Billy Crystal.
While in college, Sandler worked doing standup at various comedy clubs in New York City, though not everyone was convinced he had what it took to perform as an actor. In Variety’s “Actors on Actors,” he sat down with fellow star Brad Pitt to discuss their new film roles, finding success in Tinseltown, and the early beginnings of their career.
During the chat, Pitt took the time to share a story he had heard about Sandler regarding a discouraging experience with a college professor. “You were at NYU, and it was your acting coach, or acting professor, I believe,” the Oscar winner recalled. “He took you out for a beer and he kindly said to you, ‘Think about something else. Listen, you got heart, but you don’t have it. Choose another path.'” The “SNL” alum confirmed the story as Pitt was telling it and while the professor may have had their own assumptions, fate and hard work clearly had another plan in mind for Sandler.
