Adam Sandler’s Emotional ‘SNL50’ Tribute Leaves Fans in Tears—But One HUGE Star Is Missing!

Adam Sandler made Saturday Night Live fans feel all kinds of emotions with a heartfelt musical tribute during SNL50: The Anniversary Special in New York City.

The 58-year-old actor and comedian, who was a cast member on the famous sketch show from 1990 to 1995, took the stage with his acoustic guitar to perform 50 Years. The song was full of humor, nostalgia, and touching tributes to the many stars who have shaped SNL over time.

Before Sandler even started playing, he was introduced by Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson, who made a rare public appearance to celebrate SNL’s big milestone.

The energy in the room was electric, but when Sandler began to sing, it became clear that this moment wasn’t just about making people laugh—it was about honoring the show that launched so many comedy careers.

His song, mixing his signature humor with heartfelt reflection, captured the shared experience of those who have been part of SNL:

“Everybody in this room has something in common / all of our lives were changed by the show.

“Everybody in this room has something else in common / None of us were allowed to use the little bathroom in Lorne [Michael]’s office.”

The audience burst into laughter at the mention of SNL’s legendary creator, Lorne Michaels. Sandler continued by giving shoutouts to longtime crew members, including the show’s nurse and beloved cue card handler, Wally.

His lyrics also reflected on the many comedians who have been part of SNL, singing:

“50 years of young comedians getting hired for the show / From stand-up, Groundlings, Second City, and all the rest / 50 years of cast members saying, ‘I think our cast is the greatest of all time’ / But we all know that the first cast was the best.”

While joking about the ongoing debate over which SNL era is the best, the song soon took on a more sentimental tone.

As Sandler continued listing SNL legends, his voice filled with emotion when he mentioned two beloved stars:

“Six years of our boy Farley and five of our buddy Norm.

“50 years of one of us getting to say / ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday night’ / 50 years of standing on home base / waving goodnight and goodbye / 50 years of the best times of our lives.”

Sandler’s heartfelt words left many viewers emotional, and social media was flooded with reactions.

One user wrote, “Did not expect this song to make me cry.”

Another tweeted, “It’s raining really hard on my eyes wtf.”

“I actually cried,” admitted a third, while another fan wrote, “Well done @adamsandler. I was hanging in there through all the bittersweet memories, then you sang of Farley and Norm, and that was it, now I’m all weepy. Really excellent.”

However, some viewers quickly noticed that one major SNL star was missing from Sandler’s tribute.

Kenan Thompson, who holds the record as SNL’s longest-running cast member with 22 seasons, was not mentioned in the song. For comparison, the next longest-running cast member, Darrell Hammond, was on for 14 seasons.

Because of this, some fans took to social media to express their surprise.

“Didn’t mention Kenan’s record-breaking run? Feels kinda cold,” one person commented.

However, others defended Sandler, pointing out that the show had already referenced Thompson’s record multiple times during the night. They also noted that Sandler’s song was more focused on honoring past legends rather than current stars.

This isn’t the first time Sandler has paid tribute to his late friend, Chris Farley. During his Adam Sandler Live stand-up shows, he has performed a song dedicated to Farley, often getting emotional while singing.

In a 2022 interview, Sandler admitted that these tributes are still difficult for him, saying, “It still makes me so emotional.”

Farley, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 33, remains one of SNL’s most beloved comedians. Sandler’s continued tributes show just how much he meant to his fellow cast members and comedy fans.

Sandler’s SNL50 performance was more than just a song—it was a reminder of why Saturday Night Live is still so important after all these years. Whether it’s launching comedy careers, creating unforgettable characters, or making people laugh when they need it most, SNL has remained a comedy powerhouse for 50 years.

Thanks to Adam Sandler, fans got to celebrate those five decades with both laughter and a few tears.