Joe Flaherty, the actor, writer and comedian known for his roles on the Canadian comedy series “Second City Television” and “Freaks and Geeks,” died Monday. He was 82 years old.
Flaherty's daughter, Gudrun, confirmed the news to diverse In a statement through the Comedians Alliance, which has previously raised money for Flaherty to get a 24-hour caregiver.
“After a short illness, we left yesterday, and since then I have been struggling to cope with this terrible loss,” Gudrun said. “My father was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for the films of the 1940s and 1950s. His visions of the golden age of cinema not only shaped his career; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In the past few months, as he faced With his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of those classic films together – moments I will cherish forever.
Flaherty was a writer and actor on “SCTV,” where he starred with John Candy, Catherine O'Hara and Martin Short. The Canadian show, which aired between 1976 and 1984, featured various sketches presented as programming on the television station/network for the fictional town of Melonville. Flaherty was known for his impressions of celebrities on “SCTV,” including Kirk Douglas, Richard Nixon, Art Garfunkel, Gregory Peck and Alan Alda. Countless original characters also appeared on the show, including SCTV President Jay Caballero, Big Jim McBob, and Count Floyd. “SCTV” was nominated for nine Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program, winning two.
Short tributes to Flaherty were given in a statement to diverse“In our more than 50 years of friendship, there have been very few people as wise or as funny when it comes to comedy, teaching improvisation, and the arts of character as Joe,” he said. “At SCTV, we called him the anchor. In life, he was “Simply the funniest guy in the room. I just adore him.”
Flaherty was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 21, 1941. He began performing at The Second City in Chicago, where he wrote and acted in several stage plays. He starred in “The Next Generation,” “Justice is Done or Oh, Cal Coolidge,” and “Cooler Near the Lake” with Brian Doyle Murray and Harold Ramis. He also acted alongside John Belushi in “Cum Grano Salis,” “No, No, Wilmette,” and “43.”Research and development Parallel or Mr. Macber and Mrs. Miller. Flaherty later appeared on the “National Lampoon Radio Hour” with Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Doyle Murray, and Ramis. After spending seven years in Chicago, Flaherty moved to Toronto, where he helped create Toronto II and worked at SCTV.
Flaherty has appeared in numerous other television shows and films throughout his career, with some of these credits including “Back to the Future II,” “Happy Gilmore,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “One Crazy Summer,” and “National Security”. Detroit Rock City, Family Guy, and The King of Queens. He portrayed patriarch Harold Weir in Freaks and Geeks, a heckler named Donald in Happy Gilmore and a Western Union courier in Back to the Future II.
Flaherty was ill before his death and chose to spend the rest of his life at home rather than in a nursing home. His “SCTV” collaborators took to social media to help raise money for Flaherty through the Comedians Alliance.
Gudrun’s statement continued: “Cinema was not just a hobby for him; It profoundly affected his career, especially his memorable time with SCTV. He cherished every moment he spent on the show, was so proud of his success and so proud to be part of the amazing cast. Recently, the SCTV team reminisced about him, saying, “All of us SCTV teammates owe him a huge debt of gratitude.” He was the creative anchor who kept us honest and inspired. It is a testament to his indelible mark on everyone who worked with him.
Above all, he was a loving father. No matter the occasion, he was always there to offer a laugh or wisdom when I needed it most. His absence has left a void in my life that seems insurmountable at the moment. As I try to navigate through this grieving process, I take solace in the memories we shared and the amazing impact he had on those around him. His spirit, humor and love will be a part of me forever. My father was kind-hearted and kind, blessing everyone who knew him and loved his work. Thank you to everyone who cared for him; He loved being able to make people laugh. We will miss him greatly, but we are forever grateful to God for his presence in our lives.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”