Adam Sandler took the stage while accepting the People’s Icon Award at 2024 People’s Choice Awards on Feb. 18, delivering a mostly lighthearted speech.

Adam Sandler proved once again he’s truly the big daddy of Hollywood.

After all, the Murder Mystery star was the recipient of the 2024 People’s Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards Feb. 18. And he was most certainly feeling the love from the crowd at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (See every star from the ceremony here).

“I would like to say thank you recognizing me as the man who made our entire country the horniest this year,” the 57-year-old said from the stage after receiving the award from close friend Jennifer Aniston, joking that he thought it was for Sexiest Man Alive instead. “And was by far the most talked about person in the bedroom by couples or throuples during fantasy role play.”

Rocking a more formal look than he is known for, Sandler also pivoted to expresse his gratitude for his family—including wife of more than two decades Jackie, and daughters Sadie, 17, and Sunny, 15.

“My daughters, Sadie and Sunshine,” he shared. “Not a minute goes by without me thinking of and how much I love you, you’re my best friends and my darling wife Jackie, you are my partner for life. I love every car ride and every kiss we’ve ever had, forever and ever my girl.”

Since his tenure as Saturday Night Live cast member in the early ’90s, the nine-time PCA winner has seen no shortage of box office success—from his early hits like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore to acclaimed roles in The Wedding Singer and Uncut Gems.

But that’s not to say it’s always been an easy ride.

“I used to go nuts. I had a quick temper, quick reactions,” Sandler told AARP in 2022. “I made a lot of dumb mistakes and said a lot of stupid things. Looking back on relationships, I could be an ass. I was selfish. I was competitive with other comedians and stuff. My father would say, ‘That guy’s funny,’ and I would say, ‘Hey, I’m funny, blah, blah,’ and he’d be, like, ‘Why can’t you both be funny?'”

But over the years, Sandler no longer feels the need to measure up, noting that he can “appreciate other people’s talent now rather than competing.”

NBC via Getty Images

That mentality has helped him throughout his career, especially when his films aren’t necessarily met with rave reviews from critics. When it comes down to it, Sandler, who has spent much of his career making movies with his closest pals like Jennifer Aniston, David Spade and Kevin James, is more worried about them than himself.

“Mostly because I invite all these amazing people I care about to make movies with me,” he admitted to AARP, “and I wish they didn’t have to read s–t about whatever we’ve made. But I don’t get too shook up.”

In fact, he’s not afraid to make jokes at his own expense and has roasted himself even while picking up major awards.

“I’d like to also give a shout out to my fellow nominees,” he said while accepting the Best Male Lead Award at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards, “who will now and forever be known as the guys who lost to f–king Adam Sandler.”

And now he’s the People’s Icon.

Keep reading to see every winner from the 2024 People’s Choice Awards.

THE R&B ARTIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Beyoncé
Brent Faiyaz
Janelle Monáe
SZA
Tems
The Weeknd
Usher
Victoria Monét

THE NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Coi Leray
WINNER: Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Jung Kook
Noah Kahan
Peso Pluma
PinkPantheress
Stephen Sanchez

THE GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Dan + Shay
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Jonas Brothers
Old Dominion
Paramore
WINNER: Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER

THE SONG OF THE YEAR
“Dance The Night,” Dua Lipa
“Fast Car,” Luke Combs
“Flowers,” Miley Cyrus
“Fukumean,” Gunna
“greedy,” Tate McRae
“Last Night,” Morgan Wallen
“Paint The Town Red,” Doja Cat
WINNER: “Vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo

THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Endless Summer Vacation, Miley Cyrus
For All The Dogs, Drake
Gettin’ Old, Luke Combs

THE COLLABORATION SONG OF THE YEAR
“All My Life,” Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
WINNER: “Barbie World,” Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice With Aqua
“Ella Baila Sola,” Eslabon Armado X Peso Pluma
“First Person Shooter,” Drake Feat. J. Cole
“I Remember Everything,” Zach Bryan Feat. Kasey Musgraves
“Seven,” Jung Kook Feat. Latto
“TQG,” Karol G, Shakira
“Un x100to,” Grupo Frontera X Bad Bunny

THE CONCERT TOUR OF THE YEAR
+–=÷x Tour, Ed Sheeran
COLDPLAY MUSIC of the SPHERES WORLD TOUR
Love On Tour, Harry Styles
Luke Combs World Tour
Morgan Wallen One Night At A Time World Tour
P!nk Summer Carnival Tour
Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé
WINNER: TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR

POP CULTURE

THE SOCIAL CELEBRITY OF THE YEAR
Britney Spears
Dwayne Johnson
Kim Kardashian
Kylie Jenner
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Selena Gomez
WINNER: Taylor Swift

THE COMEDY ACT OF THE YEAR
Baby J, John Mulaney
Emergency Contact, Amy Schumer
God Loves Me, Marlon Wayans
I’m An Entertainer, Wanda Sykes
Off The Record, Trevor Noah
Reality Check, Kevin Hart
WINNER: Selective Outrage, Chris Rock
Someone You Love, Sarah Silverman

THE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Coco Gauff
Giannis Antetokounmpo
LeBron James
Lionel Messi
Sabrina Ionescu
Simone Biles
Stephen Curry
WINNER: Travis Kelce