Adam Sandler had a near-death experience while filming Uncut Gems.
The incident took place during a scene where Sandler’s character is kidnapped. During the filming, three people had to manhandle him and one of them put him in a chokehold.
Actor Josh Safdie told Entertainment Weekly, “All three of those guys who are manhandling Sandler, it was the first movie they’ve done. So they were very professional, but when it’s your first time…
Sandler nearly choked on set of Uncut Gems
“Sandler’s so in it,” he added, “He’s so into the character that it started to actually get a little scary, one or two times, because he’s getting choked at one point in the scene and there were all these cues.
“There was one take when Sandler was getting choked and he was trying to tap out, but the actor thought that he was just being Howard so he choked harder, and Adam couldn’t breathe.”
He was then asked if Sandler had a “safe word” which he could say if he needed to get out of a dangerous situation.
Safdie joked, “A safe word? He couldn’t speak! But he never said anything till after we cut and then he was like, “Thank you.””
Battered and bruised
Safdie also joked about Sandler being left battered and bruised during filming.
Asked if he tried to keep the character separate from his home life, Sandler said he had. However, Safdie joked, “Except sometimes you brought him home with you, with those bruises.”
Sandler replied, “Oh my goodness, yes. The boys went at me pretty good — they beat me up I’d say maybe 120 different angles worth. And yeah I had some spots on my body.”
The interview with EW took place last fall, however it has only just been published in its entirety due to spoilers — as Uncut Gems is now out on Netflix.
The film is one of Sandler’s most well-received to date, with critics praising him highly for his role.
Uncut Gems is streaming now on Netflix.