Dennis Dugan
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:00:36 PM Wikipedia source
Dennis Barton Dugan (; born September 5, 1946) is an American film director, actor, and comedian. He is known for directing the films Problem Child, Brain Donors, Beverly Hills Ninja and National Security, and his partnership with comedic actor Adam Sandler, for whom he directed the films Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, The Benchwarmers, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Grown Ups, Just Go with It, Jack and Jill and Grown Ups 2. Dugan is a four-time Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director nominee, winning once.
Infobox
Born
Dennis Barton Dugan (1946-09-05) September 5, 1946 (age 79)Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.
Education
Goodman Theater School (BFA)
Occupations
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Years active
1968–present
Notable work
Beverly Hills NinjaHappy GilmoreBig DaddyGrown Ups
Spouses
mw- Joyce Van Patten (m. 1973; div. 1987) Sharon O'Connor (present)
Children
1
Tables
· Filmography › Film
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1990 | Problem Child | |
| 1992 | Brain Donors | |
| 1996 | Happy Gilmore | |
| 1997 | Beverly Hills Ninja | |
| 1999 | Big Daddy | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
| 2001 | Saving Silverman | Also known as Evil Woman |
| 2003 | National Security | |
| 2006 | The Benchwarmers | |
| 2007 | I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
| 2008 | You Don't Mess with the Zohan | |
| 2010 | Grown Ups | |
| 2011 | Just Go with It | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
| Jack and Jill | ||
| 2013 | Grown Ups 2 | Nominated- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director |
| 2020 | Love, Weddings & Other Disasters | Also writer |
· Filmography › Film
1988
Role(s)
Bill
Role(s)
Mr. Settigren
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1976 | Norman... Is That You? | Garson Hobart |
| 1979 | Unidentified Flying Oddball | Tom Trimble |
| 1981 | The Howling | Chris Halloran |
| 1985 | Water | Untitled |
| 1987 | Can't Buy Me Love | David Miller |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Bill |
| The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking | Mr. Settigren | |
| 1989 | Parenthood | David Brodsky |
| 1990 | Problem Child | All American Dad |
| 1996 | Happy Gilmore | Doug Thompson |
| 1999 | Big Daddy | Reluctant Trick-or-Treat Giver (uncredited) |
| 2006 | The Benchwarmers | Coach Bellows |
| 2010 | Grown Ups | Basketball Referee |
| 2012 | That's My Boy | School janitor |
| 2013 | Grown Ups 2 | Dr. Larry |
| 2020 | Love, Weddings & Other Disasters | Eddie Stone |
| 2024 | Knox Goes Away | Philo Jones |
| 2024 | Father There Is Only One 4 | Himself |
| 2025 | Happy Gilmore 2 | Doug Thompson |
· Filmography › Television
1976
Role(s)
Episode: "Last Salute to the Commodore"
1978–79
Role(s)
The Rockford Files
Notes
3 episodes
1988
Role(s)
Episode: "Phantom Pain"
1988–89
Role(s)
Moonlighting
Notes
5 episodes
1985–86
Role(s)
Shadow Chasers
Notes
14 episodes
1975, 1983
Role(s)
M*A*S*H
Notes
2 episodes
1993
Role(s)
Episode: "What Makes Doogie Run"
Role(s)
Episode: "Butterfly in Shades of Grey"
1993–94
Role(s)
L.A. Law
Notes
2 episodes
1993–2004
Role(s)
NYPD Blue
1994
Role(s)
Episode: "Who Killed Nick Hazard?"
Role(s)
2 episodes
1994–95
Role(s)
Picket Fences
Notes
2 episodes
1998
Role(s)
Episode: "Smooth Sailing"
Role(s)
Episode: "Alone Again"
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1973 | The Waltons | Episode: "The Theft" |
| 1974 | Cannon | Episode: "The Deadly Trail" |
| 1976 | Columbo | Episode: "Last Salute to the Commodore" |
| 1978–79 | The Rockford Files | 3 episodes |
| 1978 | Richie Brockelman, Private Eye | 5 episodes |
| 1979 | Supertrain | Episode "Superstar" |
| 1982 | Hill Street Blues | 4 episodes |
| 1987 | Hunter | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | Wiseguy | Episode: "Phantom Pain" |
| 1988–89 | Moonlighting | 5 episodes |
| 1985–86 | Shadow Chasers | 14 episodes |
| 1975, 1983 | M*A*S*H | 2 episodes |
| 1993 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Episode: "What Makes Doogie Run" |
| Columbo | Episode: "Butterfly in Shades of Grey" | |
| 1993–94 | Law | 2 episodes |
| 1993–2004 | NYPD Blue | |
| 1994 | Burke's Law | Episode: "Who Killed Nick Hazard?" |
| 1994 | Traps | |
| The Byrds of Paradise | 2 episodes | |
| 1994–95 | Picket Fences | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Marker | Episode: "The Pilot" |
| Chicago Hope | Episode: "Freeze Outs" | |
| 1998 | Love Boat: The Next Wave | Episode: "Smooth Sailing" |
| Ally McBeal | Episode: "Alone Again" | |
| 1999 | Shasta McNasty | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2004 | The Mullets | Episode: "Silent But Deadly" |
| 2005 | Hope & Faith | Episode: "Wife Swap" (Parts 1 and 2) |
References
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2010/tv/news/remembering-dennis-dugan-and-captain-freedom-on-hill-street-blues-12106/
- Peoplehttp://people.com/archive/moonlightings-new-groom-dennis-dugan-may-be-tvs-most-hated-hubby-vol-29-no-12/
- The New York Timeshttps://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE7D8123EF93BA25757C0A964958260
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2010/film/news/dennis-dugan-a-quiet-hitmaker-1118028121/
- Love, Weddings & Other Disastershttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/love-weddings-other-disasters
- Entertainment Voicehttps://entertainmentvoice.com/2020/12/04/diane-keaton-and-jeremy-irons-bring-charm-to-love-weddings-and-other-disasters/
- Baseball-Reference.comhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dugan-001kel