'SCTV' comedian Joe Flaherty dies at 82: NPR

Former SCTV cast members Dave Thomas (from left), Joe Flaherty, Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, presenter, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy and Martin Short pose at the American Comedy Arts Festival on March 6, 1999, in Aspen, Colo Flaherty died, A founding member of the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, he died Monday at the age of 82.

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E. Pablo Cosmici/AP

Former SCTV cast members Dave Thomas (from left), Joe Flaherty, Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, presenter, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy and Martin Short pose at the American Comedy Arts Festival on March 6, 1999, in Aspen, Colo Flaherty died, A founding member of the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, he died Monday at the age of 82.

E. Pablo Cosmici/AP

TORONTO – Comedian Joe Flaherty, founding member of the beloved Canadian sketch series “SCTV,” has died. He was 82 years old.

Flaherty died on Monday after a short illness, his daughter, Gudrun, said on Tuesday.

Flaherty, who was born in Pittsburgh, spent seven years at The Second City in Chicago before moving north of the border to help establish the theater's Toronto location.

He went on to star alongside John Candy and Catherine O'Hara in “SCTV,” about a fictional television station known as Second City Television that was full of clowns in front of and behind the cameras. Flaherty's characters included network president Jay Caballero and vampire television host Count Floyd.

His former teammates also include Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas and Andrea Martin.

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He won an Emmy Award in 1982 and 1983 for his writing on “SCTV” and continued to work in television and film for decades.

He was introduced to later generations through memorable roles as a sarcastic heckler in the 1996 film “Happy Gilmore” and as an old-fashioned father in the TV comedy “Freaks and Geeks,” which ran from 1999 to 2000.

“Man, he idolized Joe growing up. My brother and I always laughed. Count Floyd, Jay Caballero. Any move he made,” comedian Adam Sandler said on X.

“He crushed as a border guard at the Stripes. Couldn't be more fun to have him harass me on the golf course. Nicest guy you could ever know. Genius comedienne. And a true sweetheart. Perfect combination. Lots of love to his kids and thanks to Joe for all the greatness he gave us all “.

Flaherty has maintained deep ties to Toronto, where he served as artist-in-residence at Humber College.

“Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for movies of the 1940s and 1950s,” his daughter wrote in a statement Tuesday. “Cinema was not just a hobby for him, it profoundly influenced his career, especially his memorable time with SCTV.” “He has cherished every moment he has been on the show, so proud of his success and so proud to be part of the amazing cast.”