Madison Riley, a relatively fresh face in Hollywood when she joined the cast of the comedy hit Grown Ups, played Rob Schneider’s character’s daughter, Jasmine Hilliard, but Riley didn’t return for Grown Ups 2. The film, which starred a comedic ensemble including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Schneider, was one of Sandler’s biggest box office hits for its humor, family-oriented storyline, and chemistry between the longtime collaborators. Riley’s character, though not central, was a memorable part of the film’s familial charm and became her breakthrough role.
In 2010’s Grown Ups, Riley portrayed Jasmine Hilliard as sweet and somewhat naive, often being bemused by her father’s and his friends’ antics. Riley’s portrayal brought a light-hearted and endearing quality to the ensemble, effectively marking her presence in a lineup of seasoned comedians. Her participation in the film seemed to set the stage for further appearances in the franchise. However, when Grown Ups 2 followed three years later in 2013, Riley was nowhere to be seen.
Madison Riley’s absence in the movie directly ties to Rob Schneider’s passing on Grown Ups 2. Schneider, who played her on-screen father, opted out of the second installment due to scheduling conflicts and reported disputes over pay. Without Schneider’s character to bridge her storyline, it wouldn’t have made narrative sense to bring Riley’s character back for the sequel, leading to her exclusion from Grown Ups 2.
Schneider and Sandler have collaborated nine times, so Schneider’s absence is surprising regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, the crossfire of the casting decision caught Riley, and she was noticeably disappointed. In a bold move, Riley posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her flipping off a poster for Grown Ups 2, indicating her displeasure about not being included in the sequel. Although Riley has not publicly commented in-depth about not being asked to return, her social media post sent a clear message of her feelings about the situation.
Following her appearance in Grown Ups, Madison Riley continued to pursue acting, with her work including appearances in both comedic and dramatic settings. However, she seemed to have quietly retired from acting in the late 2010s, as she hasn’t been in a movie or series since 2015.
Aside from her acting career, Madison Riley ventured into content creation by starting a YouTube channel. This platform has allowed her to engage with fans directly and diversify her professional pursuits. On her channel, Riley shares a mix of lifestyle videos and personal vlogs that provide insight into her life beyond acting. This direct line to her audience allows her to control her narrative and connect with fans in a more personal and sustained manner.
However, Riley has gone quiet on her channel, as she posted her last video in August 2023, but she still posts short-form videos on her Instagram account. Nevertheless, Madison Riley has effectively managed to transition from a traditional acting career to embracing new media and content creation. Her adaptability and willingness to explore different avenues show a promising trajectory, indicating her continued evolution as an artist and influencer in the digital age despite not featuring in Grown Ups 2.