In May 2024, Netflix announced the sequel to the 1996 sports comedy “Happy Gilmore,” starring Adam Sandler — but Julie Bowen figured her role as Virginia Venit, Happy’s love interest, had long since been retired to the clubhouse.

Julie Bowen was surprised when Netflix asked her to return for “Happy Gilmore 2.” During a recent interview on the “Inside of You” podcast, Bowen explained she was certain she’d be replaced as the love interest for Adam Sandler’s titular golfer by a younger actress for the highly anticipated “Happy Gilmore” sequel.

The “Modern Family” star played Virginia Venit in the first film, the PR director for the golf tour Happy Gilmore joins, who helps him shape up his image. The two eventually fall for each other and in the sequel have a family, though Bowen noted that her appearance in the new one is brief.