Joe Flaherty, the renowned writer and actor known for his memorable roles on the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, has died at the age of 82. Flaherty, who won two Emmy Awards during his career, passed away on Monday after a brief illness, according to his daughter Gudrun Flaherty.

Born on June 21, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Flaherty began his career with the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago before moving to Toronto in 1973 to help establish a new outpost for the group. He became a vital part of all six seasons of SCTV until 1984, portraying iconic characters such as Guy Caballero, Floyd Robertson, Count Floyd, Big Jim McBob, and Sammy Maudlin.

Flaherty's immense talent for sketch and improv comedy was widely recognized, and he received nine Emmy nominations for outstanding writing in a variety or music program on SCTV. Notably, he won the prestigious award in 1982 and 1983.

In addition to his work on SCTV, Flaherty made appearances on numerous television shows and movies. Notably, he played the role of Harold Weir, A-1 Sporting Goods owner and father of Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley's characters, on the NBC series Freaks and Geeks from 1999 to 2000. He also appeared as a Western Union man in Back to the Future Part II in 1989.

Flaherty's versatility and comic timing captured the hearts of audiences, and his contributions to the comedy world were immeasurable. Despite his success, he remained humble about his craft and once stated in an interview that he considered himself more of an actor than a comedian.

Throughout his career, Flaherty worked alongside notable comedy talents such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Dan Aykroyd. He played a crucial role in shaping the success of SCTV, as the popularity of NBC's Saturday Night Live paved the way for the show's creation.

Flaherty's impact extended beyond his performances on screen. He taught comedy writing at Humber College in Toronto, sharing his expertise and inspiring aspiring comedians. In 2008, he reunited with his fellow SCTV performers for a charitable fundraiser, and then again in 2018 for a live event called "An Afternoon With SCTV," hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Elgin Theater.

Joe Flaherty leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of comedy. He is survived by his younger brother, Paul Flaherty, who also worked as a writer for SCTV, as well as his children, Gabriel and Gudrun. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans as they mourn the loss of a true comedy icon.