Rob Schneider is a 61-year-old American comedian and actor who gained fame on Saturday Night Live from 1990-1994. He’s best known for creating characters like “The Richmeister” and appearing in Adam Sandler films, including Grown Ups, The Waterboy, and 50 First Dates. His net worth is approximately $10-12 million in 2025.
Who Is Rob Schneider?
Robert Michael Schneider was born on October 31, 1963, in San Francisco, California. He’s an actor, comedian, screenwriter, and director who built his career on sketch comedy and collaborations with Hollywood friends. Raised in Pacifica, California, Schneider comes from a mixed heritage background—his father is Jewish, his mother is Catholic, and his maternal grandmother was from the Philippines.
Schneider graduated from Terra Nova High School in 1982 and attended San Francisco State University. He started performing stand-up comedy while still in high school, opening for local band Head On. His early comedy work led to a spot on HBO’s 13th Annual Young Comedians special in 1987, hosted by Dennis Miller. This appearance changed everything.
Saturday Night Live Years (1990-1994)
Schneider joined SNL as a writer in 1988 before becoming a featured player and then a full cast member from 1990 to 1994. During his four seasons, he created memorable recurring characters that audiences loved.
His most famous character was The Richmeister, an annoying office worker who gave everyone nicknames while standing by the photocopier. Other popular characters included Tiny Elvis and the Sensitive Naked Man. Schneider earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations during his SNL tenure.
He worked alongside comedy legends Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Chris Farley. This group became known as the “Bad Boys of Saturday Night Live.” The friendships formed during these years shaped Schneider’s entire career. Sandler and Schneider became particularly close, leading to decades of collaboration.
The Adam Sandler Connection
Schneider and Sandler first met in the late 1980s when both were struggling stand-up comedians in Los Angeles. Schneider saw Sandler perform and recognized his talent immediately. They began hanging out regularly, often at Planet Hollywood, where fans could spot them.
Their friendship has lasted nearly 50 years. Schneider revealed in August 2024 that Sandler calls him every single week and has done so for 30 years straight. “There’s not been a week in 30 years where he doesn’t check in on me,” Schneider told People magazine. “I mean, that’s true. No matter where I am in the world, I’ll get a phone call, sometimes in the middle of the night.”
Schneider often plays supporting roles or cameos in Sandler’s movies, including:
– The Waterboy (1998) – as Townie, who shouts “You can do it!”
– Big Daddy (1999)
– Little Nicky (2000)
– 50 First Dates (2004) – as Ula, a Hawaiian sidekick
– The Longest Yard (2005)
– I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
– You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008)
– Grown Ups (2010)
– Grown Ups 2 (2013)
– The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
– Hubie Halloween (2020)
Sandler returned the favor by appearing in Schneider-led films like The Animal and producing projects including Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. Schneider’s famous “You can do it!” catchphrase from The Waterboy became so popular that it appeared in multiple Sandler films and even in The Offspring’s song “Original Prankster.”
Major Film Career Highlights
After leaving SNL in 1994, Schneider transitioned to feature films. His biggest starring roles came in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)** was Schneider’s breakout lead role. He co-wrote the script about a fish tank cleaner who becomes a male escort. Made on a $17 million budget, it grossed $92 million worldwide despite harsh reviews. The film’s commercial success led to a 2005 sequel, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.
The Animal (2001)**, which Schneider also co-wrote, tells the story of a man who receives animal organs after an accident. The movie performed well at the box office, earning over $84 million globally.
The Hot Chick (2002) featured Schneider as a criminal who magically swaps bodies with a teenage girl. The body-swap comedy earned $54 million worldwide and has since gained a cult following.
The Benchwarmers (2006), produced by Adam Sandler, starred Schneider alongside David Spade and Jon Heder. The baseball comedy grossed $65 million globally.
Schneider’s films typically received negative reviews from critics but found commercial success with audiences. Film critic Roger Ebert famously dismissed Schneider’s work, sparking a public feud. However, when Ebert became seriously ill, Schneider sent him flowers with a note reading “Your least favorite actor, Rob Schneider.” Ebert later called Schneider “a good man” despite his opinion of the films.
Television and Other Work
Beyond movies, Schneider has maintained a presence on television. He starred in the CBS sitcom “Rob” (2012), loosely based on his real life. The show was canceled after one season.
In 2015, Schneider created “Real Rob” for Netflix. The sitcom featured his actual wife, Patricia Azarcoya Arce, and daughter Miranda. Schneider wrote, directed, produced, and financed the entire project himself. The show ran for two seasons, giving fans an inside look at his personal life.
Schneider has also voiced characters in animated projects. He narrated Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights (2002) and recently appeared in the Netflix animated film Leo (2023) alongside Sandler and Bill Burr.
His stand-up comedy career continues strong in 2025. He’s currently touring across the United States with performances scheduled through 2026. He released his first comedy album, “Registered Offender,” in 2010.
Personal Life and Family
Schneider has been married three times. His first marriage to model London King lasted from 1988 to 1990. Their daughter, Elle King (born Tanner Elle Schneider in July 1989) grew up primarily with her mother in Ohio.
He married Helena Schneider in 2002, but they divorced soon after. In 2011, Schneider married television producer Patricia Azarcoya Arce in Beverly Hills. They have two daughters together: Miranda Scarlett (born 2012) and Madeline Robbie (born 2016). The family supports Mexican soccer club Tigres and currently resides in Arizona. Schneider converted to Catholicism in 2023.
In 1996, Schneider founded the Rob Schneider Music Foundation to restore music education in Pacifica’s elementary schools. The foundation paid teacher salaries and provided funds for musical instruments and equipment after years without music programs.
The Elle King Relationship
Schneider’s relationship with his eldest daughter, Elle King, became public in 2024 when the country music star opened up about their troubled past. King, a four-time Grammy nominee known for hits like “Ex’s & Oh’s” and “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” changed her last name to her mother’s surname when she turned 18.
In August 2024, King appeared on Bunnie XO’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast and revealed painful childhood memories. She said Schneider sent her to “fat camp” twice at ages 11 and 12, where she received minimal food and was forced to exercise all day. King also claimed Schneider forgot her birthdays, including her 18th, and was critical of her tattoos and self-expression.
“I don’t want to be associated with him,” King said on the podcast. “He’s just not nice.” She added that she goes “four or five years without talking to my dad” and disagrees with his public statements, particularly regarding LGBTQ issues.
Two days after the podcast aired, Schneider appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show and issued a public apology. “I just want to tell my daughter, Elle, I love you, and I wish I were the father in my 20s that you needed, and clearly I wasn’t, and I hope you can forgive me for my shortcomings,” he said.
King later told People magazine in September 2024 that she never expected her comments to go viral but stands by speaking her truth. “Sometimes you have to just say things and get them off your chest so that you don’t have to carry it for the rest of your life,” she explained.
Despite the public apology, King said in interviews that she felt Schneider’s words were performative. As of 2025, their relationship remains strained, though King credits her experiences with making her a better parent to her two sons.
Political Views and Controversies
Schneider was previously a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party in 2013. He explained the change by pointing to California’s political issues and what he saw as over-regulation affecting jobs and businesses.
His political shift has been accompanied by controversial public statements. Schneider became vocal against vaccine mandates, claiming in 2012 that vaccines cause autism—a theory thoroughly debunked by scientific research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he told people to resist getting vaccinated, calling it an “unapproved experimental gene therapy.”
In May 2025, Schneider posted a photo from the White House with President Donald Trump and HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., showing his alignment with the administration.
Most recently, in October 2025, Schneider sparked widespread backlash after claiming on social media that there were “NO Children’s Hospitals when I was a kid. Because kids weren’t sick.” The statement is factually incorrect—children’s hospitals in the United States date back to the 1850s. The New York Nursery and Child’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia both opened in 1854-1855.
These controversial statements have affected his Hollywood career. In an October 2024 interview with The Daily Mail, Schneider claimed he’s been blacklisted in Hollywood due to his political views and outspoken opinions.
Current Projects and Net Worth
As of 2025, Schneider remains active in entertainment. He’s touring extensively with his stand-up comedy show, with dates scheduled across the United States through 2026. He recently appeared at SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special in February 2025.
Schneider directed and starred in “Daddy Daughter Trip,” featuring his daughters Miranda and Elle King, along with Jackie Sandler and John Cleese. The film showcases his continued work behind the camera as both director and producer.
His net worth in 2025 is estimated between $10 million-12 million. This wealth comes from his diverse career as an actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and director. His biggest box office successes include Grown Ups ($271 million worldwide), Grown Ups 2 ($247 million), and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan ($204 million).
Schneider owns properties in Arizona and California. In February 2022, he purchased an 8,000-square-foot mansion on 3.6 acres in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $4 million. In August 2024, he bought a home in Woodland Hills, California, for $2.5 million.
Legacy and Impact
Rob Schneider’s career spans over 35 years in comedy and entertainment. While critics often panned his work, his films found commercial success and developed loyal fan bases. His collaboration with Adam Sandler represents one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting comedic partnerships.
His SNL characters remain beloved by fans who grew up watching the show in the early 1990s. The Richmeister character influenced workplace comedy for years after. His “You can do it!” catchphrase became part of pop culture, appearing in music and being quoted by fans worldwide.
Schneider’s comedy style—juvenile, physical, and often absurd—isn’t for everyone. But it resonates with audiences who appreciate his commitment to making people laugh, regardless of critical reception.
FAQs
Is Rob Schneider still friends with Adam Sandler?
Yes. Sandler calls Schneider every week and has done so for 30 years. They remain close friends both personally and professionally, though they haven’t appeared in a film together since 2020’s Hubie Halloween.
What is Rob Schneider’s net worth in 2025?
Estimates place Schneider’s net worth between $10 million-12 million, earned through acting, comedy tours, screenwriting, directing, and producing over his 35-year career.
Why does Elle King not use her father’s last name?
Elle King uses her mother, London King’s, surname to establish her own identity separate from her famous father. She changed her name when she turned 18 and has said she wants to be recognized for her own talent.
What was Rob Schneider’s most famous SNL character?
The Richmeister was Schneider’s most popular SNL character—an annoying office worker who gave everyone nicknames at the photocopier. Other memorable characters included Tiny Elvis and the Sensitive Naked Man.
Did Rob Schneider appear in Happy Gilmore 2?
As of late 2025, filming for Happy Gilmore 2 is underway. When asked if he would appear, Schneider teased, “We’ll see,” suggesting a cameo is possible but not confirmed.
What movies has Rob Schneider been in with Adam Sandler?
Schneider has appeared in at least 15 Sandler films, including The Waterboy, Grown Ups, 50 First Dates, Big Daddy, Little Nicky, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, The Longest Yard, and Hubie Halloween.
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