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From the stuff of Hollywood legend to stuffed and mounted.
Morris the alligator, famous for his villainous role in Adam Sandler’s classic film “Happy Gilmore,” died of ‘old age’ last week and will now be taxidermied so he can “scare children for years to come,” according to the Colorado Gator Farm.
The death of the 9-foot long, 640-pound reptile, estimated to be between 80 and 90 years old, was announced by forlorn farm operator Jay Young in a video posted to Facebook in which he caressed the deceased Morris’ head.
“He started acting strange a week ago. He wasn’t lunging at us and wasn’t taking food,” Young said, adding, “I know it’s strange to people… that we get so attached to an alligator.”
“It’s the worst part of what we do, losing animals,” Young said, holding back tears. “He had a happy time here, and he died of old age.”
Morris retired to the farm in 2006 after a storied career in film and television that included roles in “Dr. Doolittle 2,” “Interview with the Vampire,” “Blues Brothers 2000,” “Eraser,” and of course “Happy Gilmore.”
He appeared with legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” CBS reported.
Young revealed that the gator farm will taxidermy Morris and put him on display for visitors in an effort to preserve his memory.
“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,” Young wrote in a post on Instagram on Monday.
Ironically, Morris’ character in “Happy Gilmore” was also taxidermized after the titular character hunted him down as revenge for biting off the hand of his golf legend and mentor friend Chubbs.
Colorado Gator Farm is located in San Luis Valley, Co., displays dozens of reptiles, and is open to the public.
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