Joe Flaherty, Freaks and Geeks actor and SCTV star, dies at 82 | Television

Joe Flaherty, an actor, writer, and sketch comedian known for his roles on Freaks and Geeks, Back to the Future II, Happy Gilmore, and the landmark Canadian series SCTV, , died after an undisclosed short illness. His daughter Gudrun Flaherty Said Canadian Press. He was 82 years old.

“After a short illness, he left us yesterday. Since then, I have struggled to come to terms with this immeasurable loss,” said Gudrun, co-founder of Toronto’s Second City. He said in a statement through an organization called the Comedy Artists Alliance.I had it before helped raise funds To help Flaherty with his illness.

“My father was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for the movies of the 40s and 50s. His insight into the golden age of cinema not only shaped his professional life; They were also a source of endless fascination for me. During the past few months when he was facing health issues, we had the rare opportunity to watch many of these classic films together. That moment will be forever important to me.”

Flaherty was a founding member of the Canadian sketch show SCTV, where he co-starred with John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Short. The show ran from his 1976 to his 1984 and featured skits that were broadcast as a show on the television network in the fictional town of Mellonville. Flaherty was known for impressing celebrities such as Art Garfunkel, Richard Nixon, Alan Alda, and Kirk Douglas.

Flaherty is perhaps best known to American audiences for a number of supporting television roles, most notably sporting goods store owners Linda Cardellini and John Francis on the cult classic show Freaks and Geeks. He is best known for playing Harold Weir, Daley’s father. Flaherty also played a Western Union man in Back to the Future Part II and a heckler named Donald in Happy Gilmore, a film produced by his SCTV teammate Eugene Levy. He played the scientist father Fred Edison in the American-Canadian sitcom Maniac Mansion.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Flaherty got his start in comedy at Chicago’s Second City, where he co-starred with Brian Doyle-Murray, Harold Ramis, and John Belushi. He moved to Toronto in his 1973 and established the Canadian base of the flagship comedy venue, and in 1976 he helped launch SCTV and won two Emmy Awards.

Additional credits included The King of Queens, The Slackers, Even Stevens, That 70’s Show, Frasier, Family Guy, American Dad, and more.

His SCTV co-star Martin Short was also one of the many comedic figures, especially from Canada, to pay tribute to the multi-talented writer and comic.

“In our more than 50 years of friendship, there have been few people as bright and funny as Joe when it came to the art of comedy, improvisation, and character work,” Short said. variety. “At SCTV we called him Anchor. In his life, he was just the funniest guy there. I just adored him.”

Flaherty’s Happy Gilmore co-star Adam Sandler also paid tribute to Flaherty. Instagram: “Hey, you. I adored Joe growing up. He always made me and my brother laugh. Count Floyd, Guy Caballero. Every move he made. He served as a border guard for the Stripes. There’s nothing more fun than having him heckle you on the golf course. The nicest guy you know. A genius comedian. And a true lover. The perfect combo. To his kids. Much love and thank you for all the greatness Joe has given us all.”

“So sad to hear about dear Joe.” I have written X Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig. “He was my TV dad and a true comedy hero. He was just the best guy, willing to tell me any story about his favorite SCTV sketches. I will miss him so much. I will always be grateful to have met him. Give your comedy a break, Joe.”

John Francis Daley, who played his son on the show, Added: “Joe Flaherty pissed me off so hard that it ruined me. My favorite days on set were the days we shot scenes together. What a wonderful guy.”

Check out more tributes below.