Joe Flaherty, the comedian and writer known for his roles on shows like Freaks and Geeks and SCTV, has died. 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,” his daughter Gudrun Flaherty told CBC News on Tuesday, via SCTV producer and close family friend Andrew Alexander.
“I take solace in the memories we shared and the incredible impact he had on those around him. His spirit, humour and love will be a part of me forever.”
An improvisation expert with an iconic voice and gift for the guest spot, Flaherty’s credits run the gamut from movie blockbusters such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to TV staples such as Frasier, Freaks and Geeks and Family Guy.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss,” his daughter Gudrun Flaherty told CBC News on Tuesday, via SCTV producer and close family friend Andrew Alexander.
An improvisation expert with an iconic voice and gift for the guest spot, Flaherty’s credits run the gamut from movie blockbusters such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy to TV staples such as Frasier, Freaks and Geeks and Family Guy.
Though he never attained quite the same blockbuster heights of some of his castmates (or made the move over to U.S. competitor Saturday Night Live as did some of them), Flaherty’s was a familiar name both in front of and behind the camera — especially to fellow comedians.
After the show ended in 1984, Flaherty went on to star in a host of other comedies, but established himself as a consummate performer with another iconic role: Harold Weir in the comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks in 1999.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1941, Flaherty served with the U.S. air force for four years before joining Chicago improv group The Second City in 1969 — where his time would overlap with future Saturday Night Live star John Belushi and Ghostbusters actor and Groundhog Day director Harold Ramis.
He would play Kirk Dirkwood on CTV’s David Steinberg Show, Mayor Andrews in the Canadian sitcom Call Me Fitz, and held a recurring role in the Vancouver-shot Robson Arms.
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SCTV was food for the soul. RIP