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Adam Sandler attended the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb 5, 2026, where he was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award
During the event, he recalled what it was like going "toe to toe" with the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film Punch‑Drunk Love
The 59-year-old actor also praised the on-screen work of Hoffman's son, Connor
Adam Sandlerfirst teamed up withPhilip Seymour Hoffmanin the 2002Paul Thomas AndersonfilmPunch‑Drunk Love– a memorable, quirky romantic comedy.
At the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where Sandler was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award, he reflected fondly on that experience in conversation with Leonard Maltin.
Sandler explained how memorable working with Hoffman was, recalling their time rehearsing together and the way the scenes came alive under Anderson's guidance.
"I'm very proud that I worked with Phil," Sandler, 59, said during the event. "I loved him as a guy and I loved him as one of the best actors of our generation."
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When asked what it was likegoing "toe to toe" with Hoffman, Sandler described an intense but rewarding rehearsal process that he'll never forget.
The duo rehearsed the scene extensively, often in informal settings around the director's property, exploring their scenes from multiple angles and building a rich connection before shooting.
"We'd walk around… do the scenes, and we'd go at it different directions and then on the day when we shot that we kind of kept to ourselves and stayed in our own little worlds," the comedian recalled. "Then when Paul called action, we went at it and went toe to toe and felt what we felt and I loved it."
Their back‑and‑forth rehearsals came in handy for the film's emotional highs and lows, with Sandler playing the anxious Barry Egan and Hoffman portraying his chaotic business rival, Dean Trumbell. Rehearsing extensively beforehand helped them understand their characters' tension and timing, so that when the cameras rolled, their interactions felt real and alive.
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In 2014,Hoffman died at age 46, leaving behind hislongtime partner Mimi O'Donnelland their three children:son Cooperand daughters Tallulah and Willa.
Cooper, now an actor in his own right, has taken on leading roles in films includingLicorice Pizza, Saturday NightandThe Long Walk– marking a promising continuation of his father's legacy.
During the event on Feb. 5, Sandler spoke warmly about Cooper, saying, "[Hoffman's] boy is fantastic. I love watching that kid. He's a great actor."
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