‘Freaks and Geeks’ star Joe Flaherty dead at 82
American actor Joe Flaherty, best known for his performance in the iconic comedy-drama series, Freaks and Geeks, has passed away aged 82.
Famously, the programme which aired in the late 1990s, catapulted the careers of James Franco, Jason Segel and Seth Rogen. The show, created by Paul Feig, also helped put the comedy stylings of Judd Apatow on the map, as he served as an executive producer on Freaks and Geeks.
In the programme, which only ran for one season, Flaherty portrayed Harold Weir, father to Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley’s characters. Notably, outside of his role on Freaks and Geeks, Flaherty also appeared in Happy Gilmore, as well as episodes of Frasier, Married… With Children and The King of Queens.
Before appearing in Freaks and Geeks, Flaherty made a name for himself in Canada as part of the sketch comedy television series, SCTV. Despite being born in Pittsburgh, Flaherty moved to Toronto in 1973 to realise his comedic ambitions.
At this stage, no cause of death has been revealed for the actor. However, earlier this year, the SCTV aligned improvised comedy group, Second City, shared details of a fundraiser and detailed his health problems.
They wrote in the fundraiser description: “Our beloved SCTV cast member, Joe Flaherty, is very ill. Joe is aware of the gravity of his failing health and would like to spend whatever time he has left at home rather than in a facility.”
Second City’s message continued: “We are writing to our friends because we believe SCTV meant something to you, and that would not be the case if it were not for Joe Flaherty. He was a mentor, a director, and an inspiring improviser who gave us many of the tools we are still using in the careers he helped kickstart.”
They concluded: “And he made us all laugh! We believe that you would want to know about Joe’s condition and, perhaps, even want to contribute towards his home care.”
Tributes have begun to pour in on X for Flaherty, including from Joel Murray, who appeared alongside the late talent in One Crazy Summer. He wrote: “We’ve lost another of my idols. RIP Joe Flaherty.”
Additionally, Jennifer Tilly, who knew Flaherty from their work together in The Wrong Guy, took to the same social media platform to write: “I was so thrilled to be able to work with him. His performance was pitch-perfect. A great comedian. Gone too soon.”
See the tributes below.
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