Comedian Joe Flaherty Obituary, Member of Canadian sketch series died at 82

Comedian Joe Flaherty Obituary: Renowned comedian Joe Flaherty, a founding member of the iconic Canadian sketch series “SCTV,” has passed away at the age of 82.

His daughter, Gudrun, confirmed his death on Tuesday, revealing that Flaherty died following a brief illness.

Born in Pittsburgh, Flaherty’s comedic journey began at The Second City in Chicago, where he spent seven formative years before venturing to Canada to help establish the theater’s Toronto branch.

It was there that he became an integral part of “SCTV,” a groundbreaking show centered around a fictional TV station, Second City Television.

Flaherty’s talent shone through in his portrayal of characters like the network boss Guy Caballero and the unforgettable vampiric TV host Count Floyd, alongside fellow comedic legends John Candy and Catherine O’Hara.

Flaherty’s contributions to “SCTV” earned him Emmys in 1982 and 1983 for his exceptional writing. Beyond his work on the show, he continued to leave an indelible mark on TV and film for decades.

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He endeared himself to later generations with memorable roles such as the jeering heckler in the 1996 film “Happy Gilmore” and as an old-fashioned dad in the beloved TV comedy “Freaks and Geeks.”

Despite his wide-ranging success, Flaherty remained deeply connected to Toronto, serving as an artist-in-residence at Humber College. Described by his daughter as an extraordinary man with a boundless heart and an unwavering passion for classic cinema, Flaherty’s love for the art form profoundly influenced his career.

He cherished every moment spent on “SCTV” and took immense pride in its success and the camaraderie shared with his fellow cast members.