Some actors simply stand out in any position that they’re given, with a lot of their most recognizable roles coming from temporary appearances. Minimize to Rob Schneider yelling, “You Can Do It!” Nonetheless, the world not too long ago misplaced one of the crucial iconic character actors who turned a recognizable face for his many temporary roles in fashionable comedies.

We are going to have a look at who Joe Flaherty was, from his rise on the hit present SCTV, which produced a few of Canada’s most iconic comedy stars, to the numerous cameos that made him a recognizable face worldwide. Whether or not or not it’s a heckler, a priest, or a late-night horror host, Joe Flaherty left behind so many memorable performances price celebrating.

Who Is Joe Flaherty?

Joe O’Flaherty was an American actor, author, and comic born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1941. He served in the USA Air Pressure for 4 years earlier than switching gears and changing into extra closely concerned in dramatic theater. He moved to Chicago in 1969, the place he dropped the “O” in his final identify and have become concerned in comedy with the Second Metropolis Theater.

Nonetheless, Flaherty’s profession began to progress when he moved to Toronto in 1973 to assist set up the Toronto Second Metropolis theatre troupe. It’s right here that he turned a member of the Canadian TV skit presentSCTV (Second Metropolis Tv), which marked his first main position in a collection. From right here, Flaherty would go on to many minor roles in movie and TV till his loss of life on April 1, 2024, on the age of 82, after a short sickness.

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Joe Flaherty Discovered Fame in An Surprising Place

Earlier than concerning how a lot of Joe Flaherty’s legacy got here from spotlight-stealing minor roles in movie and TV collection, the actor did discover fame early in his profession, even cementing himself as a comedic icon. Nonetheless, this got here from the Canadian cult hit TV collection SCTV, which made him a star within the “Nice White North” whereas remaining largely unknown exterior the nation.

Operating from 1976 to 1984, SCTV made Flaherty a family identify in Canada because of his improvisational expertise, which helped push lots of the humor within the collection. This included catching fellow comedians off guard, however he’s finest recognized for his impressions of celebrities and politicians like Kirk Douglas, Richard Nixon, Artwork Garfunkel, Gregory Peck, and Alan Alda, in addition to his unique characters. A few of his most iconic characters included:

• Man Caballero: is the fictional shady proprietor of the SCTV Community, recognized for worming his means into others’ sympathy by faking utilizing a wheelchair.
• Depend Floyd: In a nod to late-night horror hosts on public entry TV, Depend Floyd would introduce “Monster Chiller Horror Theatre” with an enthusiastic “Ah-ooooo.”
• Floyd Robertson: The extremely skilled and critical anchor of the Melonville Nightly Information.
• Sammy Maudlin: The flashy and upbeat discuss present host who was at all times overly enthused and emotional.
• Massive Jim McBob: The host of the “Farm Movie Report” and film reviewer who, together with John Sweet’s character Billy Sol Hurok, would provide one of many extra fashionable quotes with the aim to make celebrities “blow up actual good”.

Standing amongst different comedians who would go on to bigger careers in Hollywood, together with Catherine O’Hara, John Sweet, Rick Moranis, Martin Quick, and Eugene Levy, it may be simple to miss the present’s impact on Flaherty’s profession. Nonetheless, to many, he’ll at all times be remembered as their favourite forged member within the cult TV collection.

Joe Flaherty Was Recognized for His Scene Stealing Cameos

Joe Flahtery’s profession after SCTV noticed him amass over 100 IMDB credit throughout movie and TV. His most notable position previous SCTV and its spin-offs is taking part in Harold Weir in Freaks and Geeks, however most of his credit are in minor roles. Regardless of most of his credit touchdown in cameo roles, Flaherty nonetheless had a powerful presence and pure knack for hitting these comedic beats that always led to memorable moments in comedy classics and cult hits. Joe Flaherty, for a lot of, was remembered as a type of “hey, I do know that man,” actors because of these many appearances.

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Amongst his notable roles had been the “Jeering Fan” in Pleased Gilmore, “Western Union Man” in Again to the Future II, and “Father McNulty” in Detroit Rock Metropolis. He additionally made appearances in such cult and indie motion pictures as Stuart Saves His Household, (Based mostly on Al Franken’s SNL character Stuart Smalley), and the ‘school comedy’ Slackers. On prime of that, Flaherty would proceed to be concerned in Canadian TV, notably showing in 66 episodes of the present Maniac Mansion and doing a number of voice-acting roles.

Regardless of his Pleased Gilmore character not even being named, Flaherty’s position within the film is among the most memorable and hilarious parts of the comedy. Upon his passing, Sandler reminisced concerning the comic, sharing that he “Worshipped Joe rising up. At all times had me and my brother laughing,” including, “Couldn’t be extra enjoyable to have him heckle me on the golf course. The nicest man you can know” (through Folks journal).

Joe Flaherty left behind a formidable legacy, and his affect on the Canadian comedy scene, particularly, is simple of how vital he was to many rising up with SCTV. His many scene-stealing roles actually made him a recognizable face globally, and plenty of will at all times keep in mind him for the numerous temporary but memorable performances he gave all through his profession.

Revisit the Better of Joe Flaherty With SCTV

Whereas SCTV just isn’t at the moment out there for streaming, you possibly can nonetheless revisit lots of the traditional segments from the present on YouTube by means of the official SCTV web page (@TheOfficialSCTV) and discover clips from random fan pages. In any other case, you should buy the DVDs from Amazon to get the total collection. You may try Joe Flaherty as Harold Weir within the short-lived, fan-favorite coming-of-age drama TV collection Freaks and Geeks, streaming on Prime Video, Hulu, or Paramount+.