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Tim Herlihy Headshot

Tim Herlihy

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BIO

While working as an attorney, Herlihy continued collaborating with Sandler on SNL sketches, including Canteen Boy. They also began working on a screenplay for Billy Madison, which Herlihy wrote at his law firm late at night.



Herlihy was hired as a writer at Saturday Night Live in March 1994. He remained at the show after Sandler left in 1995 (being one of five writers to return the next season), eventually rising to head writer and eventually producer. He wrote many political sketches leading up to the 1996 Presidential election, and co-wrote (with Tina Fey) the 1999 sketch in which Monica Lewinsky appeared. He left the show in 1999 to focus on film work.

He wrote or co-wrote the Sandler films Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999) and Pixels (2015).

In 1999, Herlihy appeared in the film Big Daddy as the "Singing Kangaroo," and sang "The Kangaroo Song" on the film's soundtrack.

Herlihy played a bartender in both The Wedding Singer (1998) and The Ridiculous 6 (2015).

Herlihy has written for and or performed on three of Sandler's comedy albums: They're All Gonna Laugh at You! (1993), What the Hell Happened to Me? (1996) and Shhh...Don't Tell (2004).

In 2006, Herlihy co-wrote the book and two songs for a Broadway musical version of The Wedding Singer. It opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 27, 2006, and closed on December 31, 2006, after 284 performances. Herlihy's and Chad Beguelin's book was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical, and the show itself was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical. It subsequently has had many international productions.

In 2015, Herlihy co-wrote (with Sandler) the Western comedy film The Ridiculous 6, distributed by Netflix. Despite being universally panned by critics, on January 6, 2016, it was announced by Netflix that the film had been viewed more times in 30 days than any other movie in Netflix history.

Herlihy returned to Saturday Night Live for one episode in 2015, to work with Tracy Morgan on a recurring sketch they had created in the 1990s, Brian Fellow's Safari Planet. The episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding writing, and won a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy/Variety sketch series.

Movies

Billy Madison
[ 1995 ] Architect
Happy Gilmore
[ 1996 ] writer
The Wedding Singer
[ 1998 ] Rudy the Bartender Timothy P. Herlihy
The Waterboy
[ 1998 ] writer
Big Daddy
[ 1999 ] Singing Kangaroo
Little Nicky
[ 2000 ] writer
Mr. Deeds
[ 2002 ] Fireman
Click
[ 2006 ] Doctor
Bedtime Stories
[ 2008 ] Young Barry Nottingham
Grown Ups
[ 2010 ] Ptor
Grown Ups 2
[ 2013 ] writer
Blended
[ 2014 ] Bketball Dad
Pixels
[ 2015 ] Defense Secretary
The Ridiculous 6
[ 2015 ] Nugget Bartender
Hubie Halloween
[ 2020 ] Wild Bear
Happy Gilmore 2
[ 2025 ] written by

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Book of a Musical

Tim Herlihy, The Wedding Singer

Videos

News


Melissa Errico, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED: THE FINAL SEASON and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Melissa Errico, Sondheim Unplugged: The Final Season and more. 
THE WEDDING SINGER Begins At Wright State Theatre November 13
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 6, 2025

Wright State Theatre will present the hit 1980s musical comedy The Wedding Singer, November 13–23, 2025, at the Festival Playhouse in Wright State University’s Creative Arts Center.
The Sarasota Players To Open 96th Season With THE WEDDING SINGER
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 9, 2025

The Sarasota Players will launch its 96th season with the city-premiere of The Wedding Singer, the high-energy musical comedy with music by Matthew Sklar, book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, and lyrics by Beguelin, based on the New Line Cinema film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
THE WEDDING SINGER and More Set for Wright State Theatre 2025"2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 13, 2025

Wright State University’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures has announced its 2025–2026 season, themed “Remember, Reflect, Reimagine.” Spanning comedy, drama, musicals, and world premieres, the season invites audiences to explore coming-of-age stories, historic turning points, and fresh takes on theatrical classics.
Photos: THE WEDDING SINGER at The Colony Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2025

Performances are now underway for The Wedding Singer at The Colony Theatre. The Wedding Singer premiered on Broadway in 2006 and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Check out photos here!
Cast & Designers Set For THE WEDDING SINGER at The Colony Theatre In Burbank
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2025

The Colony Theatre has announced the cast and designers for The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy, which begins performances in June. Learn more about the show here!
HAPPY GILMORE Returning to Theaters Ahead of Sequel Film
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 15, 2025

Universal Pictures has announced the nationwide theatrical re-release of Happy Gilmore, the beloved 1996 sports comedy starring Adam Sandler as a failed hockey player turned golf sensation.
HELLO, DOLLY! And More Set for Cortland Repertory Theatre 54th Summer Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 11, 2025

Cortland Repertory Theatre has unveiled its 54th annual summer season, running June 4 – August 15 at the Little York Pavilion in Preble, NY. The lineup features five productions, four of which are CRT premiers.
THE WEDDING SINGER Comes to Niantic Bay Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2024

The Niantic Bay Playhouse has announced the opening of 'The Wedding Singer,' the hit musical based on the 1998 film of the same name. The production will run from July 18th-August 4th.
The New London Barn Playhouse Opens Its MainStage Production Of THE WEDDING SINGER
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 11, 2023

The Wedding Singer is now at the New London Barn Playhouse, running from August 9th - August 20th at 7:30 pm with matinee performances on August 10th, 16th, and 18th at 2:00 pm and Sunday performances at 5:00 pm.
Musical Theatre Guild Reveals The 2023-2024 Season Featuring FOLLIES and THE WEDDING SINGER
by Stephi Wild - Jul 26, 2023

Musical Theatre Guild, a Southern California theatre institution for over a quarter century, proudly announces the season of mainstage one-night-only shows for the 2023-2024 season, and a new home as well.
Cast And Creative Team Announced For Surging's THE WEDDING SINGER Opening In August
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 26, 2023

The full cast and creative team has been announced for Surging Films & Theatrics 2023 production of The Wedding Singer at The Edge Off Broadway (a charming storefront space at 1133. W Catalpa in Chicago) August 18th - Sept 3rd.
Moonlight Stage Productions Continues its 42nd Season with THE WEDDING SINGER
by Stephi Wild - May 26, 2023

The 42nd season of Moonlight Stage Productions at the Moonlight Amphitheatre continues with The Wedding Singer from June 7-24 at 8 p.m.
Video: Watch Idina Menzel Perform as Adam Sandler's 'Opera Man' From SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
by Michael Major - Mar 27, 2023

Idina Menzel opened the 24th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony by performing Adam Sandler's 'Opera Man.' Menzel's performance called out famous audience members who gathered to celebrate Sandler, including Jennifer Aniston, Rob Schneider, David Spade, and more. Watch the performance video now!
Photos: Adam Sandler Honored at 24th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 20, 2023

See photos from the 24th annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honoring Adam Sandler.
Review: THE WEDDING SINGER at Lyric Arts
by Jared Fessler - Mar 18, 2023

What did our critic think of THE WEDDING SINGER at Lyric Arts?
Review: THE WEDDING SINGER Brings the 80s Back To Life At The Gateway
by Melissa Giordano - Feb 3, 2023

What did our critic think of THE WEDDING SINGER at The Gateway?
Review: THE WEDDING SINGER at Crown Uptown
by Paula Makar - Aug 12, 2022

The Wedding Singer made its Regional Debut at the Crown Uptown in July. It’s super fun, high energy musical based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, with music by Matthew Sklar (Elf, The Prom), book by Chad Beguelin (Aladdin, Elf, The Prom) and Tim Herlihy (Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore), and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The Wedding Singer's score is rife with 80’s pop references, which made me ponder the question, “From which actual hits were the show’s songs derived?”
Previews: THE WEDDING SINGER at Crown Arts Collaborative At The Crown Uptown in Wichita, KS
by Paula Makar - Jul 5, 2022

The Crown Arts Collaborative (CAC), a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission of returning theatre and art to the historic Crown Uptown Theatre, continues their inaugural theatrical season with The Wedding Singer, the Tony Award-nominated musical based on the 1998 Adam Sandler film of the same name. Performances run weekends July 15 - August 7 at the Crown Uptown, with Friday and Saturday showtimes at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. This will be the regional premier of The Wedding Singer, the first time the show has been produced by a professional company in Wichita or surrounding markets.
Review: Party Hearty Like It's 1985 with THE WEDDING SINGER at the Carrollwood Players
by Peter Nason - Jun 27, 2022

It's a feel-good retro-musical set in the era of Miami Vice jackets and Flock of Seagulls haircuts, parachute pants and Rubik's Cubes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Tim Herlihy written?

Tim Herlihy has written 2 shows including Maggie May (Composer/Lyricist), The Wedding Singer (Source Material).

What awards has Tim Herlihy been nominated for?

and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Wedding Singer.

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Videos