Actor Adam Sandler says he hopes to work with gay-rights groups

Hollywood actor Adam Sandler said Thursday he would like to work alongside gay-rights groups after starring in this year's "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."

Photo: Actor Adam Sandler says he hopes to work with gay-rights groups

Actor Adam Sandler says he hopes to work with gay-rights groups

In Mexico with co-star Kevin James to promote the film's opening in theaters here, Sandler told a news conference: "If I can help anybody in any way, I certainly would."

But the 41-year-old comedian stopped short of calling himself a potential gay icon.

"I don't think that's gonna happen, dude, certainly not," Sandler said. "If I was a gay man, I wouldn't want me to represent" the gay community.

"Chuck and Larry," scheduled to be released on DVD in the U.S. in November, tells the story of two straight Brooklyn firefighters who pretend to be gay domestic partners for pension benefits. The movie raked in about $35 million (EUR25 million) in U.S. box-office sales on its opening weekend despite weak reviews and some complaints of homophobia.

"Of course, we didn't want to offend anybody or hurt anybody," James said at the news conference. "If we can help people too along the way, that would be great."

Sandler described the kiss the two actors shared during filming as "not bad."

"He was clean, and he seemed to brush his teeth and all that," Sandler said.