The Emmy winner spoke with PEOPLE exclusively about reprising her role as Virginia Venit in the 'Happy Gilmore' sequel, nearly 30 years after the original

Bowen, 55, has looked back on her upbringing with a real estate developer father who taught her a "golden rule" about success.

Meanwhile, Sandler and Bowen reacted to Bowen’s shocking “Happy Gilmore 2” death during an interview with Entertainment Weekly published shortly after the movie’s release. The “Modern Family” star suggested that her character needed to die to drive Happy and the events of the film.

Bowen reprises her character, Virginia Venit, in the comedy classic's second installment. Within the first four minutes of the film, Venit — who's since married Happy, welcomed five kids together and started a family — gets killed off, a tragedy caused by her husband.

Fans were disappointed by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's absence at the Happy Gilmore 2 premiere, sparking speculation. Julie Bowen, Kelce's co-star,

Considering past misbegotten sequels to Adam Sandler movies like Grown Ups 2 and Murder Mystery 2, I am not quite sure why it took the star three long decades to fire up one for arguably his best comedy and most memorable character,

The eagerly anticipated "Happy Gilmore 2," which was heavily filmed in NJ, is releasing this week. Here's how to watch, time, cast and more.