Meet Bobby Boucher: Adam Sandler's comedic underdog in The Waterboy
Adam Sandler's role as the 'wa-wa-wa-waterboy' in the 1998 American sports comedy film The Waterboy cemented him as an iconic comedian. He played a bullied waterboy who became a football legend. Talking about his character, Adam told WFAA in 1998,
I’m glad [people] like Boucher. I love Boucher myself. In fact, when I’m being Boucher, it’s one of the few times I’m happy.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Bobby Boucher is one of Adam Sandler’s most memorable roles.
- The Waterboy movie grossed over $190 million worldwide, against an estimated budget of $23 million.
- Some of The Waterboy characters include Kathy Bates and Henry Winkler.
- Bobby’s journey from bullied waterboy to football hero makes him an enduring comedy icon.
Profile summary
| Full name | Adam Richard Sandler |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 9 September 1966 |
| Age | 59 years old (as of 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Height | 5′9" (1.77 m) |
| Weight | 200 lbs (91 kg) |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Parents | Stanley and Judy Sandler |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Spouse | Jacqueline "Jackie" Sandler |
| Children | 2 |
| School | Manchester Central High School |
| University | New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (BFA in Acting) |
| Profession | Actor, comedian, producer, and writer |
| Net worth | $440 million |
| Social media | InstagramFacebookX (Twitter) |
What is the story of Bobby Boucher?
Bobby Boucher's character worked as a waterboy for a college football team. He provided players with water during games and practices.
In the film, his mother, Helen Boucher, played by Kathy Bates, overprotected him. During a June 2024 interview, Adam Sandler told WFAA about his character:
I love Bobby Boucher. I love this guy. I wish I were Bobby Boucher. He's just a dedicated, really good man. He's the kind of guy that a girl should dream about being with. He's just focused on being a good person, focused on listening and doing the right thing, and taking care of his mom, his girl and listening.
Source: Facebook
The Waterboy is not based on a true story
It is a fictional sports comedy inspired in part by real-life personalities like former All-Pro NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington. Explaining to Mike Harmon, as Fox Sports Radio shared, LaVar Arrington said:
I am the man who inspired the play of The Waterboy. I always tell the story, and people don’t believe it until they look it up. Adam Sandler, when he was studying football to learn about the part he was going to play in this movie, was a big Penn State fan.
LaVar Arrington continued:
He came to Penn State to watch the linebackers of ‘Linebacker U’, and more specifically, LaVar Arrington. In fact, in the movie, he wears number nine, which is my high school number. It was pretty cool because he spent a few days watching and studying what we were doing.
Source: Getty Images
What disability does Bobby have in The Waterboy?
As posted on Deadline, 31-year-old Bobby Boucher had autism. He had hidden anger issues resulting from constant teasing and excessive sheltering from his domineering mother. She also shared the evils of football and forbade him from playing.
His work as a waterboy began after he learned that his father had died of dehydration in the Sahara while serving in the Peace Corps.
Bobby faced constant bullying from his teammates
Despite his hard work, Bobby's teammates often ridiculed him. Head coach Red Beaulieu of the University of Louisiana Cougars fired him after 18 years as a waterboy, citing disruptions.
American singer-songwriter and actress Ariana Grande shared her feelings when she watched the movie. She told W Magazine in 2024:
The Waterboy, with Adam Sandler, makes me cry. When they're mean to Bobby Boucher, I cry. I don't like it. I love Bobby Boucher. He says, 'Would you please still be my friend?' and I lose it. But I cry at everything.
Source: Getty Images
What team did Bobby Boucher play for?
Some of the cast members in The Waterboy played for the South-Central Louisiana State University (SCLSU) Mud Dogs. Before he was picked as a player, he had approached the team's coach, Klein, and served as a voluntary waterboy.
As IMDb published, his new team picked on him again, and the coach encouraged him to strike back. This led him to knock out the team's quarterback. He was also encouraged to enrol as a student at SCLSU and play for the team.
He moved from being a waterboy to becoming one of the most feared linebackers in college football. His addition to the team gave the Mud Dogs a competitive edge as they managed a winning streak and earned a trip to the annual Bourbon Bowl to face the Cougars and Coach Beaulieu.
Source: Getty Images
Frequently asked questions
- What was Bobby Boucher's famous line? There are many, but one of the most famous lines was, “My Mama says that alligators are ornery [aggressive] because they got all them teeth and no toothbrush.”
- How old was Adam Sandler in The Waterboy? Adam Sandler was 31 years old when The Waterboy was released in 1998.
- What is The Waterboy's team name? The team name is the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs, a fictional college football team.
Conclusion
Bobby Boucher’s role in The Waterboy elevated Adam Sandler’s acting career to new heights. He successfully captured the hearts of audiences with his awkward charm and underdog spirit. The comedy film reminds viewers how determination can turn an (less than) ordinary person into a hero.
READ MORE: Was Bill Skarsgård in Eternals? How he became the voice of Deviant Kro
As Briefly.co.za published, Bill Skarsgård appeared in Marvel’s Eternals (2021) as the voice behind Kro. He is globally recognised for portraying Pennywise in It (2017-2019) and Roman Godfrey in Hemlock Grove (2013-2015).
Skarsgård's debut in Marvel came in Deadpool 2 (2018). He played Zeitgeist, a mutant with corrosive, acidic abilities.
Source: Briefly News
