Joe Flaherty, known as a member of the SCTV cast and the cult classic Freaks and Geeks, has passed away. His daughter Gudrun confirmed the news through the Comedic Artists Alliance, stating that Flaherty had succumbed to “a brief illness” on Monday. He was 82.
In a statement to Variety, Gudrun said:
“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to accept this immense loss. Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for 1940s and 1950s films.
His knowledge of the golden age of cinema not only shaped his professional life but also was a source of endless fascination for me. Over the past few months, as he faced his health issues, we had the precious opportunity to watch several of these classic films together – moments that I will cherish forever.
Cinema was not just a hobby for him; it deeply influenced his career, especially his unforgettable stint with SCTV. He cherished every moment spent on the show, so proud of its success and proud to be part of an incredible cast.
Recently, the SCTV cast remembered him by saying, ‘We all SCTV colleagues owe him a huge debt of gratitude; he was the creative anchor that allowed us to stay honest and inspired.’ This is a testament to his indelible mark on everyone he worked with.
He was above all a loving father. Whatever the occasion, he was always there to offer me laughter or wisdom when I needed it most. His absence has left a void in my life that feels insurmountable right now. As I try to navigate through this grieving process, I find solace in the memories we shared and in the incredible impact he had on those around him.
His spirit, humor, and love will be a part of me forever. My father was a kind and gentle soul who blessed everyone who knew him and those who loved his work. Thank you to all who took care of him; he loved being able to make people laugh. We will miss him so much, but we are eternally grateful to God for his presence in our lives.”
Born in Pennsylvania, Flaherty began his career at Second City in Chicago, working alongside comedy legends like John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Harold Ramis. In the 1970s, he moved to Canada to help establish Second City Toronto.
“Andrew Alexander, the producer, and I think Harold Ramis and Joe Flaherty were all part of the original proposal” for the SCTV show, Andrea Martin told AV Club in 2014. “And then we were all brought in – Catherine (O’Hara) and Eugene and myself and John Candy – to formulate what it was going to be. And later on, Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas joined them, and later still, Marty joined them, but that was the main group. That’s how it all started, at CBC in Canada.
SCTV, or Second City Television, ran from 1976 to 1984, a lesser-known but highly acclaimed competitor to Saturday Night Live. Flaherty became known on the show for his impressions of characters like Richard Nixon, Art Garfunkel, and Gregory Peck, as well as original characters like SCTV President Guy Caballero and Big Jim McBob.
