Adam Sandler has paid tribute to late comic Joe Flaherty, who has died aged 82.

The 57-year-old actor appeared alongside Joe in ‘Blissful Gilmore’, and he has remembered the star as a “genius of a comic” and a “true sweetheart”.

He wrote on Instagram: “Oh man. Worshipped Joe rising up. At all times had me and my brother laughing. Depend Floyd, Man Caballero. Any transfer he made. He crushed as border guard in Stripes. Couldn’t be extra enjoyable to have him heckle me on the golf course. The nicest man you can know. Genius of a comic. And a real sweetheart. Excellent combo. (sic)”

Adam additionally thanked Joe – who was finest identified for portraying Harold Weir in teen comedy-drama ‘Freaks and Geeks’ – for the “greatness” he oozed in his life.

He added: “A lot like to his youngsters and due to Joe for all of the greatness he gave us all.”

In 1996 sports activities comedy film ‘Blissful Gilmore’, Joe portrayed Donald, an unruly fan who was employed to heckle Adam’s golf participant alter-ego Blissful Gilmore.

Joe’s daughter Gudrun confirmed this week that her father handed away on Monday (01.04.24).

She advised Selection: “After a short sickness, he left us yesterday, and since then, I’ve been struggling to return to phrases with this immense loss.

“Dad was a unprecedented man, identified for his boundless coronary heart and an unwavering ardour for motion pictures from the ’40s and ’50s.

“His insights into the golden age of cinema didn’t simply form his skilled life; they have been additionally a supply of limitless fascination for me.

“In these previous few months, as he confronted his well being challenges, we had the dear alternative to look at lots of these basic motion pictures collectively – moments I’ll perpetually maintain pricey.”