Denise Petski
·4 min read
Refresh for updates… Tributes are pouring in for Joe Flaherty, whose career launched with Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, and who was known for his roles as Harold Weir onFreaks and Geeks, and Donald the heckler inHappy Gilmore. Flaherty died Monday at the age of 82.
Martin Short, Flaherty’s co-star on SCTV, remembered Flaherty as “the funniest man in the room.”
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“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 wrote in a press statement. “In ‘SCTV’ we called him the anchor. In life, he was simply the funniest man in the room. I just adored him.”
Adam Sandler paid tribute to his Happy Gilmore co-star in a post on Instagram.
“Oh man. Worshipped Joe growing up, Sandler wrote next to photo of Flaherty. “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.”
Freaks and Geekscreator Paul Feig alsoremembered Flaherty on X, writing, “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 favoriteSCTVsketch, he was just the greatest guy. I will truly miss him and always be grateful to have known him. Rest in comedy, Joe.”
We will have share more reactions as they come in…
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
RIP to the great Joe Flaherty- Sctv was groundbreaking genius TV – he was in the best comedy that was ever aired in television – a worthy successor to the barriers Monty Python exploded – but in its own distinctive way – crazy original subversive silly absurdist wicked stuff… https://t.co/QaiCEa5Pb2
— John Cusack (@johncusack) April 2, 2024
RIP Joe Flaherty.
I was lucky enough to work with him twice, on Innerspace and Runaway Daughters.One of the nicest people in the biz. SCTV made me a fan for life.https://t.co/dwtWKDcdwn
— Joe Dante (@joe_dante) April 2, 2024
Very sad to hear that the wonderful Joe Flaherty has passed. I first saw him on stage at Chicago’s Second City. He was a major part of one of my favorite TV shows of all time, SCTV, and starred in Freaks and Geeks. He was an amazing talent- I wish I had the chance to meet him.
— Svengoolie (@Svengoolie) April 2, 2024
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. pic.twitter.com/iMX7ij4Rze
— Joe Bob Briggs (@therealjoebob) April 2, 2024
I’ve spent the entire afternoon watching and reposting clips of Joe Flaherty. It’s strange to be made so sad while laughing so much. Thanks for stopping by the planet Joe.
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) April 2, 2024
So sorry to hear about the loss of comedy legend Joe Flaherty today. One of my true heroes from @sctv Growing up watching him made me think about comedy in a completely different way. I was so lucky to get to work with him and spend time with him. In fact he was our first… pic.twitter.com/sbU5fa5ZFx
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) April 2, 2024
RIP Joe Flaherty. Lovely guy and good grief, he was funny.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 2, 2024
#SCTV was easily one of the greatest sketch comedies in the history of television with some of the most brilliant comic actors ever assembled in one show. Thank you #JoeFlaherty– your legacy of laughs will last from here to eternity. #RIP pic.twitter.com/xANitEQr3c
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) April 2, 2024
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
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
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
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