The Death at a Funeral actor gave a speech to honor Sandler, 56, who was the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center this past week.
While speaking about the talent of the 50 First Dates star, Rock insisted the Academy is a bunch of “f—–g assholes” for overlooking his longtime friend.
Sandler was expected to receive a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his 2019 film “Uncut Gems,” but was ultimately snubbed.
His past work, including “Punch-Drunk Love,” has been praised by many in the industry.
Despite never receiving an Academy Award nomination, Sandler earned his first Screen Actors Guild nomination this year for his role in Netflix’s “Hustle.”
“If they don’t want to give my man his props, then we will tonight,”
Rock said while up on stage.
“Nobody works as hard as the Sandman, nobody comes even close,” he added of Sandler, who has never received an Oscar nomination for any of his acclaimed performances.
In response to the snub, Sandler tweeted out a message at the time, writing, “Bad news: Sandman gets no love from the Academy. Good news: Sandman can stop wearing suits.”
He also gave a nod to his good friend Kathy Bates, who was nominated for best supporting actress in 2020 for her role in Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell.”
