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Carl Weathers, the accomplished actor and former pro football player, left an indelible mark on pop culture through his diverse roles, ranging from action movies of the ’80s to a comedic turn on Arrested Development. However, one iconic role, that of Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore, came at a cost. Weathers’ portrayal of the begrudging mentor left him grappling with a spinal injury that caused excruciating pain for several years. Let’s delve into the details of this unforeseen consequence and how it unfolded.
Directed by Dennis Dugan and featuring Adam Sandler, Happy Gilmore became a comedy classic in 1996. The film revolves around an aspiring hockey player, Happy Gilmore, who discovers an exceptional talent for golf. Carl Weathers plays Chubbs Peterson, a former pro golfer turned mentor to Happy, providing guidance in the eccentric world of professional golf.
Chubbs meets an untimely demise in the film when Happy presents him with the taxidermied head of the alligator responsible for Chubbs losing his hand. Shocked by the unexpected gift, Chubbs stumbles backward out of a treehouse, leading to his death. This darkly comedic scene, while iconic, turned out to be life-altering for Carl Weathers.
Weathers revealed in a 2020 interview with GQ that the injury occurred during the filming of a backward fall scene for Happy Gilmore. The stunt bags intended to catch him were incorrectly positioned, causing Weathers to experience immediate pain and a burning sensation after the first take. Stoically, he refrained from reporting the issue, attempting additional takes that exacerbated the injury.
It wasn’t until years later that Weathers discovered the full extent of his injury. The backward falls during the Happy Gilmore shoot had resulted in fractured vertebrae. The bones attempted to fuse themselves together, leading to severe complications. For three to four years, Weathers endured excruciating pain, with the surgeons he consulted initially hesitant to intervene, fearing the possibility of worsening the situation.
Weathers maintained a stoic demeanor despite the debilitating pain, describing the experience as affecting even simple actions like breathing, moving arms, and legs. He finally received some relief after the fourth year when the pain started to subside. Despite the challenging aftermath, Weathers harbored no resentment, returning to the role of Chubbs in a cameo for Little Nicky.
Carl Weathers’ portrayal of Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore remains a beloved part of cinematic history. However, the unforeseen injury resulting from the filming process underscores the physical toll that actors sometimes endure for their craft. Weathers’ resilience and positive outlook on his time filming Happy Gilmore serve as a testament to his enduring passion for the art of acting, even in the face of unexpected challenges.