'Freaks and Geeks' star Joe Flaherty dies at 82, co-stars react: 'Gone too soon'

Actor and comedian Joe Flaherty, who played Harold Weir on the short-lived NBC comedy hit "Freaks and Geeks," has died at 82.

Flaherty died after a "brief illness" his daughter, Gudrun Flaherty, told Variety and The New York Times.

The actor's other most recognizable roles were as a cast member on the sketch series "SCTV." On the cult classic "Freaks and Geeks," Flaherty played a parent of the Weir kids from 1999 to 2000. The series featured a slew of Hollywood stars who catapulted to fame after appearing on the show with Flaherty including Jason Segel, James Franco, Seth Rogen and Busy Philipps.

He was also a recurring comedian on "SCTV," the television sketch show for Toronto's Second City troupe from 1981 to 1983 with stars such as Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and John Candy.

The comedian can also be remembered for his appearance in "Happy Gilmore" with Adam Sandler.

The Pittsburgh native's death comes after a February fundraiser was created by Comedic Artists Alliance to raise money for Flaherty.

Flaherty's former co-stars paid tribute to him on social media when the news broke Tuesday.

Actor Joel Murray, who co-starred with Flaherty in the 1986 movie "One Crazy Summer," paid his respects on social media.

"We’ve lost another of my idols. RIP Joe Flaherty 1941-2024," Murray posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Joe Flaherty played my dad in 'The Wrong Guy.' I was so thrilled to be able to work with him. His performance was pitch perfect. A great comedian. Gone too soon," his co-star and "Chucky" actress Jennifer Tilly posted on X.

"Joe Flaherty made me crack up so hard it ruined takes. My favorite days on set were the ones where we had scenes together. What a lovely guy," John Francis Daley, who portrayed Flaherty's son on "Freaks & Geeks," said on X.