Joe Flaherty breathes his last at 82

Joe Flaherty passed away at the age of 82.

The actor, who was known for his roles in Freaks & Geeks and Happy Gilmore, died on April 1, according to his daughter Gudrun.

She told Variety in a statement through the Comedic Artists Alliance, an organization that hosted a fundraiser for Joe to hire a 24-hour care provider.

“After a brief illness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with this immense loss. Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and an unwavering passion for movies from the ’40s and ’50s,” the statement read.

It added, “His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t just shape his professional life; they were also a source of endless fascination for me. In these last few months, as he faced his health challenges, we had the precious opportunity to watch many of those classic movies together — moments I will forever hold dear.”

The fundraiser was also co-hosted by his improv comedy group Second City which was also shared by Martin Short.

“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,” the description had read at the time.