Adam Sandler is heartbroken over the death of actor and comedian Joe Flaherty, whom he considered his idol growing up .

After Flaherty’s death was confirmed on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Sandler took to his Instagram to pay a touching tribute to him.

“OMG. Adored Joe since I was a kid. Always made me and my brother laugh,” Sandler wrote in a Carousel post that featured footage of Flaherty’s nearly four-decade-long stellar career. photo.

“Count Floyd, Guy Caballero. Any movie he made. He was great as a border guard in Stripes,” he said of Flaherty’s famous role.

A look back at Flaherty’s performance in the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore“It was so fun to have him heckle me on the golf course,” Sandler fondly recalled. The nicest person you could ever know”

“A genius as a comedian. And a true sweetheart. The perfect combination. Much love to his kids and thank you Joe for all the greatness he gave us all,” he concluded.

Flaherty died at 82 after battling an undisclosed illness.His daughter Gundren confirmed his death in a statement type.

“Dad was an extraordinary man, known for his boundless heart and unwavering passion for the movies of the ’40s and ’50s. His insights into the golden age of cinema shaped not only his career; careers. They were also a source of endless fascination for me,” Gund recalled.