“Detroit, what!?!" — Eminem quotes his infamous verse in Happy Gilmore 2, and most of the fans missed it

The release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix on July 25, 2025, reignited interest in the original 1996 comedy and sparked significant online conversation. Directed by Kyle Newacheck, the sequel brings back Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore, the former hockey player turned professional golfer, who now returns to the golf circuit while juggling personal responsibilities.

The film features multiple celebrity cameos, including appearances by athletes, entertainers, and musicians. Shortly after the film’s release, viewers began discussing a particular cameo that many missed during their first viewing: rapper Eminem’s appearance.

Eminem briefly appears in the heckling scene, delivering a fast line that references his iconic Lose Yourself lyrics: “Detroit, what!?!” The line is delivered quickly, and many viewers didn't recognize the rapper or catch the reference at first.

Following the film’s release, several viewers discussed the cameo on social media platforms and forums such as Reddit. Some users commented that they missed the cameo entirely during their initial watch. One user, MikeGalactic, on Reddit commented:

''Eminem's also in it, his cameo is pretty hilarious "Detroit, what!?!"

''I've just rewatched the scene and have absolutely no idea how I missed it. Almost ashamed,'' another user, inhindsite, added.

Meanwhile, Reddit user Lt_JimDangle pointed out small audio and visual cues

''When you hear him yell “jacka*s” and the camera pans to his a**''

''Eh i think most people are just happy to see Eminem in something like this,'' another user, what_did_you_kill, added.

Further, one user, Loves2Poo, added:

''Yup and then soon after you hear the announcer say mom's spaghetti''

Reactions varied from amusement to confusion, with some calling the cameo unexpected and others appreciating its subtlety. While Eminem’s appearance lasts less than a minute, it has quickly become one of the most talked-about moments in the film.

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Eminem’s cameo in Happy Gilmore 2

In Happy Gilmore 2, Eminem plays the son of the original heckler character, who was portrayed by Joe Flaherty in the 1996 film. Like his father, the character appears on the sidelines of a golf tournament, taunting Happy Gilmore during gameplay. He calls Gilmore a “jacka*s,” directly mirroring one of the most recognizable lines from the original film.

He also references his father by saying, “He’s in the great Sizzler in the sky,” a phrase that functions as both a callback and a fictional in-universe explanation for the elder heckler’s absence. The cameo does not identify Eminem by name, and he appears in costume as a minor character rather than portraying himself.

The scene is brief, with the camera cutting away shortly after his lines are delivered. While Eminem’s character is not central to the plot, the scene ties into the larger theme of Happy Gilmore 2, which includes several nods to the original film through dialogue, visual references, and character appearances.

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