Joe Flaherty dead at 82: Freaks & Geeks and Happy Gilmore star passes away one month after he was revealed to be in ‘failing health’
Actor and comedian Joe Flaherty has died at the age of 82.
Flaherty, known for his roles in Freaks & Geeks and Happy Gilmore, passed away on Monday, April 1.
His death comes just over a month after improv comedy group Second City organized a fundraiser to support him while he was ill, which was shared by Martin Short.
The fundraiser description read: “Our beloved SCTV cast member, Joe Flaherty, is very ill. Joe is aware of the seriousness of his ill health and would like to spend what time he has left at home rather than in an institution.
“We write to our friends because we believe SCTV meant something to you, and that wouldn’t be the case without Joe Flaherty. He was a mentor, a director, and an inspiring improviser who gave us many of the tools we still use in the careers he helped launch.
Actor and comedian Joe Flaherty has died at the age of 8 (photo 1979)
Flaherty – known for his roles in Freaks & Geeks and Happy Gilmore – passed away on Monday April
‘And he made us all laugh! We think you would like to learn more about Joe’s condition and perhaps even contribute to his home care.’
From 1976 to 1996 he was married to Judith Flaherty and together they had two children, daughter Gudrun and son Gabriel.
Jennifer Tilly wrote: ‘Joe Flaherty played my father in ‘The Wrong Guy.’ I was so happy that I could work with him. His performance was perfect. A great comedian. Gone way too soon.’
Mad Men star Joel Murray, who starred opposite him in 1986’s One Crazy Summer. ‘We’ve lost another one of my idols. RIP Joe Flaherty,’