Adam Sandler shares heartfelt tribute to late comedian Joe Flaherty after his death at 82

Adam Sandler has shared a heartfelt tribute to late comedian Joe Flaherty after the star died at the age of 82 on April 1.

The 57-year-old actor shared three photos of Flaherty – with whom he starred in Happy Gilmore – and revealed that he “adored Joe when he was young”, adding that the actor “always made me and my brother laugh”.

Sandler wrote that he “couldn't have had more fun teasing me on the golf course” during the film's production.

Sandler concluded his letter by talking about Flaherty's personal qualities and sending his condolences to the late artist's loved ones.

'The nicest man you could ever know. Genius comedian. And a true lover. Perfect combo. “Much love to his kids and thanks to Joe for all the greatness he has given us all,” he wrote.

Several other entertainment industry figures shared tributes to the late comedian, including Freaks & Geeks actor John Francis Daley, who shared a post on his X account.

The performer wrote that the actor “made me so angry it was devastating” and that his “favorite days on set were the ones when we had scenes together” before describing Flaherty as a “beautiful man”.

Paul Feig also described the late artist as his “TV father” and “just the greatest man” in his own message.

Fellow comedian Patton Oswalt praised the Happy Gilmore actor on X, praising the actor for being “so funny.”

“Watching grows,” Tom Green wrote. [Flaherty] “It made me think about comedy in a completely different way,” and she shared photos from an episode of The Tom Green Show where the late artist was a featured guest.

Flaherty's death was announced on Monday, April 1.

His daughter Gudrun confirmed the news to diverse In a statement through the Comedians Alliance, which has previously raised money for Flaherty to get a 24-hour caregiver.

“After a short illness, he left us yesterday, and since then I have been struggling to cope with this terrible loss,” she said. My father was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for films of the 1940s and 1950s.

“Joe Flaherty played my father in The Wrong Guy,” Jennifer Tilly wrote. I was thrilled to be able to work with him. His performance was perfect. Great comedian. 'He left early.'

Mad Men star Joel Murray, with whom he starred in the 1986 film One Crazy Summer. “We've lost another of my henchmen. Rest in peace, Joe Flaherty.

His vision of the golden age of cinema not only shaped his career; They have also been 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 films together — moments I will cherish forever.”

His death comes just over a month after his former stand-up comedy group, Second City, organized a fundraiser to support him during his illness, in which Martin Short took part.

The fundraiser description reads: “Our beloved SCTV team member, Joe Flaherty, is very ill. Joe recognizes the seriousness of his deteriorating health and would like to spend any remaining time at home rather than in a facility.

“We write to our friends because we believe SCTV means something to you, and that wouldn't be the case without Joe Flaherty. He was an inspiring mentor, director, and improviser, and he gave us many of the tools we still use in the careers he helped launch.

'And he made us all laugh!' We think you'd like to know more about Joe's condition, and perhaps you'd also like to contribute to his home care.

Short paid tribute to Flaherty in a statement, saying, “Over the 50-plus years of our friendship, there have been very few people as wise or as funny when it comes to comedy, teaching improvisation and the art of taking on characters as Joe.”

“At ‘SCTV’ we called him the announcer.” In life, he was simply the funniest guy in the room. I just adore him.

From 1976 to 1996, he was married to Judith Flaherty and together they had two children, daughter Gudrun and son Gabriel.

Flaherty – born Joseph O'Flaherty – born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The eldest of seven children.

He served in the United States Air Force for four years before turning his attention to theatre.

The star moved to Chicago to begin his comedy career with Second City Theater as Joe O'Flaherty before ditching O for another actor with the same name.

He began appearing on the National Lampoon Radio Hour from 1973 to 1974 before moving to Toronto to start the Second City of Toronto Theater Company.

He was one of the original writers and performers on SCTV, playing featured roles including Big Jim McBob and station owner/manager Jay Caballero.

His film appearances include Back to the Future Part II (1989) where he played a Western Union postal worker who delivers a 70-year-old Doc Brown letter to Marty McFly as well as a crazed fan in Happy Gilmore (1996).

During 1997-1998, Flaherty starred in the television film adaptation of Police Academy.

In 1999, Flaherty joined Freaks and Geeks, where he played father Harold Weir raising two teenagers during the 1980-1981 school year.

He also appeared on Family Guy, Married with Children and King of Queens.

In later years, as of 2004, Flaherty was on the faculty at Humber College, where he taught a course in comedy writing.