SAD LOSS
Freaks and Geeks and Happy Gilmore star Joe Flaherty dead at 82 as co-stars pay tribute to ‘great comedian’
The star rose to fame during his time on Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV
FREAKS and Geeks and Happy Gilmore star Joe Flaherty has died at the age of 82.
News of the Pennsylvania native's passing came as One Crazy Summer star Joel Murray shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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"We’ve lost another of my idols,” Joel wrote.
"RIP Joe Flaherty."
Joe's daughter Gudrun Flaherty confirmed her father's death in a press statement.
"After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss," the 45-year-old wrote.
"Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s."
";His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me," she continued.
"In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of those classic movies together — moments I will forever hold dear."
Joe originally appeared on SCTV as one of the comedy series' original cast members in 1976.
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He played characters like Count Floyd, Big Jim McBob, and Guy Caballero.
He also impersonated a variety of celebrities on SCTV, from Kirk Douglas to Elvis Presley.
The star was also well-known for his work on NBC's hour-long dark comedy Freaks and Geeks.
He played Harold Weir, father to two teens, a role that resonated with fans of the cult series.
The star is also well-known for his role as Donald, a heckler in the Adam Sandler film Happy Gilmore.
Ken and Amy flirt on Freaks and Geeks
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
Tributes have been pouring in for the late star on social media as fellow celebrities mourn Joe's death.
“Joe Flaherty made me crack up so hard it ruined takes," wrote director and actor John Francis Daley.
"My favorite days on set were the ones where we had scenes together. What a lovely guy."
"Joe Flaherty played my dad in The Wrong Guy," wrote actress Jennifer Tilly.
"I was so thrilled to be able to work with him. His performance was pitch perfect. A great comedian. Gone too soon."
"I was incredibly fortunate to have worked with Joe Flaherty a few times. A sweet man that produced a lot of laughs. My deepest condolences to his family and friends," shared comedian and Whose Line Is It Anyway? mainstay Colin Mochrie.
"Joe Flaherty was kind enough to fish out his old costume and reprise Count Floyd for one last time on one of my MonsterVision episodes and he was hilarious. One of the nicest guys ever. R.I.P.," added The Last Drive-In creator Joe Bob Briggs.
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"Very sorry to hear this sad news," added actor Mark Meer.
"Growing up watching SCTV, Joe Flaherty was one of my comedy heroes. Years later, I got to learn firsthand that he was also one hell of a great guy. Much love tonight to all who love Joe," he wrote, adding a heart emoji.
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