A memorable character from the 1996 movie Happy Gilmore has died at the age of approximately 80 years old — RIP to Morris the alligator, the infamous gator who took Derick "Chubbs" Peterson's (Carl Weathers) hand in the film.
The Colorado Gators Reptile Park posted about Morris' death on its Facebook page on Sunday (May 11), writing, "Colorado Gators is sad to report the passing away of our oldest alligator, Morris. Morris was known for his work in many movies and TV shows from 1975 to 2006, when he retired to live out his days at Colorado Gators. His exact age was unknown, but he was 9 feet long in 1975, and by his growth rate and tooth loss, we can estimate his age at over 80 years. While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age. RIP Morris."
In the video accompanying the post, facility owner Jay Young was overcome with emotion, talking about Morris's last 20 years living with them at the facility. He sat there stroking Morris's head as he told everyone what happened.
"Sad to report that Morris the movie star alligator has passed…he got here in 2006 and was pretty old because he's only grown two inches in the last 19 years…he's probably at least 80, 90, maybe 100 years old…he was with us for almost 20 years," said Young, fighting back tears.
"He started acting strange about a week ago, lunging at us, and wasn't taking food. We tried to get him to eat some chicken a couple days ago, and he wasn't interested…I know it's strange to people that we get so attached to an alligator and all of our animals…It's the worst part of what we do, losing an animal…he had a happy time here and he died of old age…that's part of life. Everything that lives must die…we're all gonna be dead someday too, but we just thought everybody should know. There's a lot of visitors that come specifically to see Morris…we just thought everyone should know, Morris has passed," the caretaker concluded.
According to KDVR in Denver, Morris was found as an illegal backyard pet in 1975. He was given to a man named Jim Brockett, who had the right permits for alligators and other exotic animals. Brockett worked with Morris and got him featured roles in such films as Happy Gilmore, Dr. Dolittle 2, Interview With the Vampire, Eraser and Blues Brothers 2000.
There is a Happy Gilmore 2 movie in the works right now with Netflix, with Adam Sandler reprising his title role, but Young told KDVR in 2024 that even if they were going to feature Morris's return (he did die at the end of the first film), they would have to come to Colorado to film Morris because he was too old to be traveling.
“The only way I would allow him to be in that is if they came here to film, he is too old, too big, and too valuable, but mostly too old to travel. Something like that could kill him, and I wouldn’t risk that,” said Young.
RIP, Morris.
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