Comedian Joe Flaherty of 'SCTV,' 'Freaks and Geeks' Dead at 82
Flaherty's daughter confirmed he passed away following a brief illness.
Actor and comedian Joe Flaherty passed away on Monday, April 1 at the age of 82 following a brief illness, his daughter Gudrun Flaherty confirmed to the Toronto Star. Over the course of his four-decade career, Flaherty was best known for being an original cast member on the groundbreaking Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV from 1976 to 1984.
A Pittsburgh native, Flaherty served four years in the United States Air Force before becoming involved in the comedy scene in Chicago's Second City Theater. After spending seven years in Chicago, he moved to Canada to help establish the Toronto outpost of the Second City theatre troupe. While on SCTV, which was created as an offshoot of the troupe, Flaherty worked alongside comedy legends such as Eugene Levy, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, and Martin Short.
During his eight-year tenure with the sketch series, Flaherty was best known for characters including Guy Caballero, the wheelchair-bound owner and manager of the fictional SCTV station; Count Floyd, the vampiric host of Monster Chiller Horror Theatre; and Big Jim McBob of the Farm Film Report.
However, Flaherty also made a number of scene-stealing appearances on film and television during his career. Most notably, he starred as Harold Weir on the short-lived but critically acclaimed NBC series Freaks and Geeks from 1999 to 2000. He also played the Western Union employee in Back to the Future Part II (1989) who delivers Doc Brown's 70-year-old letter to Marty McFly.
And of course, Adam Sandler fans remember Flaherty as the "Donald the Jeering Fan" in Happy Gilmore (1996) who is later found to be secretly working for Shooter McGavin.
No one could have played the role of Donald like Joe Flaherty did. His comedic delivery was perfect and his role alone made Happy Gilmore the classic it is today. He will be missed. Rest easy Joe pic.twitter.com/npdVOjQFpp
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) April 2, 2024
As news of Flaherty's passing began to circulate, fans and colleagues paid tribute on social media.
"So sad to hear about dear Joe. He was my TV dad and a true comedy hero," wrote Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig. "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."
So sad to hear about dear Joe. 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. https://t.co/lWrh3T8zC6
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) April 2, 2024
John Francis Daley, who played his son Sam Weir on the sitcom, also remembered the actor. "Joe Flaherty made me crack up so hard it ruined takes," Daley wrote. "My favorite days on set were the ones where we had scenes together. What a lovely guy."
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.
— John Francis Daley (@JohnFDaley) April 2, 2024
Others who worked with or admired Flaherty, including Michael McKean, Jennifer Tilly, Joel Murray, and Patton Oswalt likewise remembered how brilliant he was.
RIP Joe Flaherty. Lovely guy and good grief, he was funny.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 2, 2024
Joe Flaherty played my dad in “The Wrong Guy.” I was so thrilled to be able to work with him. His performance was pitch perfect. A great comedian. Gone too soon. https://t.co/7qFnjGAoM1
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) April 2, 2024
We’ve lost another of my idols. RIP Joe Flaherty
— Joel Murray (@JoelMurray9of9) April 2, 2024
1941-2024 pic.twitter.com/bcVtfaAiPG
Poor Count Floyd — never got to preview the awful movies he showed. Good god Joe Flaherty was to-the-core funny. https://t.co/oUNgPp1FnL
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 2, 2024
In addition to his daughter, Flaherty is survived by a son, Gabriel, and his brothers Paul and Dave, who are also comedy writers