Adam Sandler Among Those Paying Tribute to Joe Flaherty

Tributes are pouring in for Joe Flaherty, who died Monday at the age of 82.

Flaherty's career launched with the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, and he was also known for his role as Harold Weir on Freaks and Geeks.

In the 90s, Flaherty played Donald the Heckler in Adam Sandler's smash hit Happy Gilmore.

That's probably one of the reasons that Adam Sandler was among the first people in America to publicly mourn Flaherty's passing.

"Oh man. Worshipped Joe growing up," Sandler wrote on Instagram. "Always had me and my brother laughing. Count Floyd, Guy Caballero. Any move he made. He crushed as border guard in Stripes. Couldn’t be more fun to have him heckle me on the golf course. The nicest guy you could know. Genius of a comedian. And a true sweetheart. Perfect combo. Much love to his kids and thanks to Joe for all the greatness he gave us all."

Superstar Martin Short also had some words for Flaherty:

"In over 50 years of our friendship, there were very few people as wise or hilarious when it came to comedy, teaching improvisation and the art of character work as Joe," Martin Short said. "In ‘SCTV’ we called him the anchor. In life, he was simply the funniest man in the room. I just adored him."