Adam Sandler reflects on going ‘toe to toe’ with Philip Seymour Hoffman

Adam Sandler has reflected on one of the most defining collaborations of his career.

While being honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb. 5, the 59-year-old actor looked back on working alongside the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002 romantic drama Punch-Drunk Love.

Speaking in conversation with film critic Leonard Maltin, Sandler said he remains deeply proud of sharing the screen with Hoffman.

“I’m very proud that I worked with Phil,” Sandler said. “I loved him as a guy and I loved him as one of the best actors of our generation.”

The actor recalled the pair’s intense rehearsal process, describing how they prepared extensively before filming their charged scenes together. Rehearsals often took place informally around Anderson’s property, where they experimented with different approaches to their confrontations.

“We’d walk around … do the scenes, and we’d go at it different directions,” Sandler remembered. “Then on the day when we shot that we kind of kept to ourselves and stayed in our own little worlds. Then when Paul called action, we went at it and went toe to toe and felt what we felt — and I loved it.”

In the film, Sandler portrayed socially anxious Barry Egan, while Hoffman played the volatile mattress salesman Dean Trumbell. Their explosive exchanges became some of the movie’s most memorable moments, grounded in the preparation and trust built during rehearsals.

Hoffman died in 2014 at age 46, leaving behind partner Mimi O’Donnell and their three children.

During the festival appearance, Sandler also praised Hoffman’s son, Cooper, who has carved out a growing acting career of his own. “His boy is fantastic,” Sandler said. “I love watching that kid. He’s a great actor.”