Morris, an alligator with several movie and television roles to his name including Happy Gilmore, passed away at the Colorado Gator Farm earlier this week. He was the oldest alligator on the farm, and was estimated to be well over 80 years old.
Jay Young, owner of the Colorado Gator Farm, announced his passing on social media. “While we knew this was inevitable, we are very saddened by his passing to old age,” they wrote on a Facebook video that showed Young stroking Morris’ head.
“He started acting strange a week ago. He wasn’t looking at us and wasn’t taking food,” Young said in the video. “I know it’s strange to people … that we get so attached to an alligator. To all our animals; we love our cats and dogs, too.”
Morris appeared in several television shows and movies over the years, his most notable being opposite Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore.
Sandler even paid tribute to his late co-star in a hilarious social media post that recounted their time working together.
“Goodbye, Morris. We are all gonna miss you. You could be hard on directors, make-up artists, costumers – really anyone with arms or legs – but I know you did it for the ultimate good of the film,” he wrote.
“The day you wouldn’t come out of your trailer unless we sent in 40 heads of lettuce taught me a powerful lesson: never compromise your art,” Sandler continued, later adding, “I will miss the sound of your tail sliding through the tall grass, your cold, bumpy skin, but, most of all, I will miss your infectious laugh. Thanks to Mr. Young for taking care of you all these years, and vaya con dios, old friend.”
Morris’ acting credits also include Interview With A Vampire, Dr. Dolittle 2, Eraser, Alligator 1 and Alligator 2, and more. He also appeared on Jay Leno alongside Steve Irwin.
Colorado Gator Farm explained that Morris retired to the farm after completing his long career in acting, which reportedly lasted from 1975 to 2006.
The farm also announced on Monday that Morris will be kept on the farm after his death.
“We have decided to get Morris taxidermied so that he can continue to scare children for years to come. It’s what he would have wanted,” the farm announced.