Zohan was loosely based on Nezi Arbib, a hairstylist and former Israeli soldier in Solana Beach, California. Arbib taught Adam Sandler and the film crew different hairstyling techniques, while Sandler learned Arbib's mannerisms.
Co-writer Robert Smigel revealed that the script was mostly written in 2000, but was delayed after the 9/11 attacks due to the terrorist themes in the film.
Filmmakers planned on painting fake abs onto Adam Sandler, but Sandler insisted on working out with a trainer to achieve actual toned abs.
Throughout the film, Zohan and other Israeli characters use various Hebrew words and phrases, including: Abba (father), Ema (Mother), B'seder (okay), and Yiddish words, including: faygelah (homosexual), tuches (butt).
The opening scene on a beach in Tel Aviv strongly references the film Metzitzim (1972) starring Uri Zohar, Israel's "bad boy" of the 1960s and early 1970s, who later became an orthodox rabbi. Zohan looks just like Zohar, including hairstyle and wardrobe.
Sadie Sandler, Jackie Sandler: (at around 1h 40 mins) Adam Sandler's daughter Sadie is seen taking a "goat ride", while his wife Jackie holds onto her.