I am moved by all the memories, you wrote a great post. I'm not a big Sandler fan, probably because I live outside the US and I'm not used to that kind of humor. I liked Spanglish and in a movie whose title I don't remember, he was depressed after his wife's death and the others thought he was crazy.
I think that was Reign Over Me. I can understand you not enjoying the 'humor'. It is not my thing either. I have to be in the right mood to sit through that much silliness.
Yes, I think that was it. A dentist friend took care of him.
He is a very good actor!