Who helped launched Adam Sandler's career? Read on

Adam Sandler remembers who gave him his first break and helped shape his comedy career.

Sandler paid tribute to Lucien Hold, a longtime manager of New York’s Comic Strip, as the man who helped set this career in motion.

Speaking during Entertainment Weekly’s Around the Table conversation about mentorship in Hollywood, he reflected on how Hold’s generosity and belief in young comedians shaped his path.

He shared that not only him, but so Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and so many others began with his assistance.

"He decided if you would get on stage, and that guy spent so much time, for no reason, with me and Chris Rock,” Sandler said.

“He really was the greatest guy. He got nothing from it, no money from it, just ran the club... Every comic has a good Lucien story.”

Sandler’s comments came as a part of a broader discussion with George Clooney, Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer, and director Noah Baumbach about the importance of mentors in their lives.

While Clooney remembered the guidance of Hollywood legends like Gregory Peck and Paul Newman, Sandler emphasized that Hold’s quiet dedication to nurturing talent was just as impactful.