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

Joe Flaherty, the 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, has died of an undisclosed brief illness, his daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, told the Canadian Press. He was 82.

“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” Gudrun said in a statement through an organization called the Comedic Artists Alliance, which along with Toronto’s Second City had previously helped raise funds to assist Flaherty in his illness.

“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. 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.”

Flaherty was a founding member of SCTV, a Canadian sketch show in which he starred alongside John Candy, Catherine O’Hara and Martin Short. The show, which ran from 1976 to 1984, staged skits presented as programming on a television network from the fictional town of Melonville. Flaherty was known for his celebrity impressions of such figures 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, particularly as the sporting goods store owner Harold Weir – the father of Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley’s characters – in the cult classic show Freaks and Geeks. Flaherty also played the Western Union man in Back to the Future Part II, the heckler named Donald in Happy Gilmore and as scientist dad Fred Edison on the American-Canadian sitcom Maniac Mansion, created by his SCTV teammate Eugene Levy.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Flaherty got his start in comedy via Second City in Chicago, where he performed alongside the likes of Brian Doyle-Murray, Harold Ramis and John Belushi. He moved to Toronto in 1973 to establish a Canadian outpost of the flagship comedy venue, and helped launch SCTV in 1976, earning two Emmy awards.

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

His SCTV co-star Martin Short was among many comedy figures, particularly from Canada, to pay tribute to the versatile writer and comic.

“In over 50 years of our friendship, there were very few people as wise or hilarious when it came to comedy, teaching improvisation and the art of character work as Joe,” Short told Variety. “In SCTV we called him the anchor. In life, he was simply the funniest man in the room. I just adored him.”

Flaherty’s Happy Gilmore co-star Adam Sandler also paid tribute to the actor on Instagram: “Oh man. Worshipped Joe growing up. Always had me and my brother laughing. Count Floyd, Guy Caballero. Any move he made. He crushed as border guard in Stripes. Couldn’t be more fun to have him heckle me on the golf course. The nicest guy you could know. Genius of a comedian. And a true sweetheart. Perfect combo. Much love to his kids and thanks to Joe for all the greatness he gave us all.”

“So sad to hear about dear Joe,” wrote the Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig on X. “He was my TV dad and a true comedy hero. Always happy to tell any story about your favorite SCTV sketch, he was just the greatest guy. I will truly miss him and always be grateful to have known him. Rest in comedy, Joe.”

John Francis Daley, who played his son on the show, added: “Joe Flaherty made me crack up so hard it ruined takes. My favorite days on set were the ones where we had scenes together. What a lovely guy.”

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