Bob Barker Dead at 99: Adam Sandler, Drew Carey and Others Honor Late Price Is Right Host

After Bob Barker's death at 99 was announced, stars such as Adam Sandler, who starred with him in Happy Gilmore, and Drew Carey, who succeeded him on The Price Is Right, paid tribute.

By Corinne Heller Aug 26, 2023 7:41 PMTags
Watch: Legendary Price Is Right Host Bob Barker Dead at 99

Adam Sandler and other stars are paying their respects to Bob Barker following his death.

The TV legend and animal activist died at age 99 at his Hollywood Hills home, his rep said in a statement Aug. 26.

While Barker is best known for hosting the CBS game show The Price Is Right from 1972 until his retirement in 2007, the 19-time Emmy winner also drew praise for playing himself and the celebrity golf partner of Sandler's title character in the 1996 cult comedy film Happy Gilmore, which marked his only big screen role. Their performance in one of the movie's fan-favorite scenes earned both stars a 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.

"The man. The myth," Sandler wrote on his Instagram page, sharing in his post several photos of himself with the late star, including a screenshot from Happy Gilmore and a pic of themselves holding their popcorn-shaped MTV award statuette. "The best."

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The actor continued, "Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!"

Drew Carey, who succeeded Barker as the host of The Price Is Right following his retirement, also paid tribute to his predecessor on Twitter. He shared a photo of the two at the TV icon's 90th birthday celebration on the set of the game show in 2013.

"Very sad day for the Price Is Right family, and animal lovers all over the world," the Drew Carey Show alum wrote. "There hasn't been a day on set that I didn't think of Bob Barker and thank him. I will carry his memory in my heart forever. #RIPBobBarker We love you."

See stars' tributes to Barker below:

Adam Sandler

The actor, who shared a 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight with the TV legend for their iconic scene from the movie Happy Gilmore, wrote on his Instagram page, "The man. The myth. The best."

The actor continued, "Such a sweet funny guy to hang out with. Loved talking to him. Loved laughing with him. Loved him kicking the crap out of me. He will be missed by everyone I know! Heartbreaking day. Love to Bob always and his family! Thanks for all you gave us!"

 

Julie Bowen

The Modern Family alum, who also starred in Happy Gilmore, wrote on Instagram, "I will never forget Adam convincing Bob Barker to say the iconic line, 'the price is WRONG, bi*ch!' Bob was kind and polite and had declined to say the line, but he got swept up in the hilarious fight scene between him and Happy, he just…said it. It's one of my favorite filming memories ever."

Bowen added, "In honor of Bob: please remember to spay and neuter your pets. RIP Bob."

Rob Schneider

The actor shared a video of Barker with Adam Sandler in an iconic scene from the 1996 movie Happy Gilmore on Twitter. "One of the nicest things I ever heard in showbusiness was Bob Barker saying, 'I moved to Hollywood to be an actor and the only person who ever let me do it was Adam Sandler!'" Schneider wrote. "This scene with them was and will always be absolutely hilarious! God bless you, Bob."

Drew Carey

The Drew Carey Show alum, who succeeded Barker as the host of The Price Is Right following his retirement in 2007, shared on Twitter a photo of the two at the TV icon's 90th birthday celebration on the set of the game show in 2013.

"Very sad day for the Price Is Right family, and animal lovers all over the world," Carey wrote. "There hasn't been a day on set that I didn't think of Bob Barker and thank him. I will carry his memory in my heart forever. #RIPBobBarker We love you."

J.J. Watt

"Rest in Peace Bob Barker, you legend," tweeted the retired NFL star. "Thank you for being a consistent figure every single day and most importantly on days we stayed home from school 'sick.' 99 years. Hell of a run."

John Rich

The country star tweeted, "We watched Bob Barker all the time growing up, he the best there ever was! Remember the time @TheVannaWhite⁩ was asked to 'Come on down!' on The Price Is Right? He was an American treasure. RIP Bob Barker."

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