Is Carl from Shameless in Happy Gilmore 2? All about Ethan Cutkosky’s role in the Netflix comedy

If you did a double take while watching Happy Gilmore 2 and thought, “Wait a second… is that Carl from Shameless swinging a golf club?” — you’re not alone. Reddit exploded recently after a user in r/shameless pointed out that Ethan Cutkosky, best known for his role as Carl Gallagher, appears in the new Happy Gilmore sequel. Cue the crossover chaos.

While Adam Sandler’s return as the eccentric hockey-player-turned-golfer is filled with nostalgic callbacks, wild cameos, and a whole lot of “you had to be there” energy, it’s Cutkosky’s cameo that has Shameless fans buzzing. The moment isn’t just blink-and-miss — it's a subtle but deliberate nod that sends longtime viewers of the Showtime drama into a frenzy of headcanon and “what if Carl went to golf school” scenarios.

So what exactly is Ethan Cutkosky doing in Happy Gilmore 2? Is he really playing Carl? Or is this just another wink from Hollywood's ever-twisting multiverse of madness? Let's break it down.

Ethan Cutkosky trades South Side antics for the putting green

Though Netflix hasn’t released an official character list detailing Cutkosky’s role, fans who caught his appearance are swearing it’s him — and that he’s one of Happy Gilmore’s sons in the sequel. The theory first gained traction on Reddit, where a user posted, “Carl is one of Happy’s sons in Happy Gilmore 2!” and was quickly backed up by fellow viewers who shouted things like “That’s Carl!” within seconds of spotting him onscreen.

Cutkosky doesn’t get a ton of screen time, but his role is enough to make an impact — especially with Shameless fans who’ve grown up watching Carl Gallagher go from street-level delinquent to reform-school vigilante. His quiet but confident energy in Happy Gilmore 2 is more in line with post-reform Carl, rather than season-one chaos Carl than season-one chaos Carl, but it still carries the same offbeat charm. And let’s be real: if anyone could cause mayhem on a golf course, it’s Carl.

A cameo that hits differently for longtime Shameless fans

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The Happy Gilmore sequel is loaded with Easter eggs, but Cutkosky’s appearance hits uniquely for those familiar with his Shameless legacy. One Reddit user rated the movie “8/10 even though I read it was terrible,” giving the cameos a full 10/10. That speaks volumes about the nostalgic weight his presence carries, even in a small role. It's not just about recognizing the actor — it’s about how viewers project years of Gallagher history onto this new context.

Just to be clear: Ethan Cutkosky isn’t reprising Carl Gallagher. He’s playing a new character — but one who looks and feels so much like Carl that fans can’t help but draw the connection. The resemblance is uncanny enough to send Reddit into a full-blown frenzy. Whether his role will grow in a future sequel remains to be seen, but for now, Shameless fans can revel in the bizarrely satisfying sight of Carl all grown up... and swinging a golf club.

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