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 is shocked that she’s making her return as Virginia Venit in “Happy Gilmore 2.” “I didn’t think they’d bring me back at all,” the actress, 55, revealed to Michael Rosenbaum on Tuesday’s episode of his “Inside of You” podcast.

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.