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{{Short description|American child actress}}{{Infobox person
{{Short description|American child actress (1975–1988)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Heather O'Rourke
| name = Heather O'Rourke
| image = Heather_O'Rourke.jpeg
| image = Heather_O'Rourke.jpeg
| alt = Young female child with blonde hair posed
| alt = Young female child with blonde hair posed
| caption = O'Rourke {{circa}} 1986
| caption = O'Rourke {{c.}} 1986
| birth_name = Heather Michele O'Rourke
| birth_name = Heather Michele O'Rourke
| birth_date = {{birth date|1975|12|27}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1975|12|27}}
| birth_place = [[San Diego]], [[California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[San Diego]], California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1988|2|1|1975|12|27}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1988|2|1|1975|12|27}}
| death_place = San Diego, California, U.S.
| death_place = San Diego, California, U.S.
| death_cause = Congenital [[stenosis]] of the intestine causing [[septic shock]]
| resting_place = [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]]
| resting_place = [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]]
| occupation = Actress
| occupation = Actress
Line 17: Line 17:
| relatives = <!--Relatives need not be listed here unless they are also notable persons-->
| relatives = <!--Relatives need not be listed here unless they are also notable persons-->
}}
}}
'''Heather Michele O'Rourke''' (December 27, 1975 – February 1, 1988) was an American [[child actress]]. She had her breakthrough starring as [[Carol Anne Freeling]] in the [[Horror film|supernatural horror]] film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'' (1982), which received critical acclaim and established her as an influential figure in the genre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mysterious death of 80s childstar Heather O'Rourke and the 'Hollywood curse' surrounding it|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/mysterious-death-of-80s-childstar-heather-orourke-and-the-hollywood-curse-surrounding-it/ZODOLPETJFGNEAF72EEOGKRDQQ/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-09|title=WandaVision & Poltergeist Crossover Art Theorizes Scarlet Witch is a Villain|url=https://screenrant.com/wandavision-poltergeist-crossover-art-scarlet-witch-villain/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> She went on to reprise the role in ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]'' (1986) and ''[[Poltergeist III]]'' (1988), the latter of which was released posthumously.
'''Heather Michele O'Rourke''' (December 27, 1975 – February 1, 1988) was an American [[child actress]]. She had her breakthrough starring as [[Carol Anne Freeling]] in the [[Horror film|supernatural horror]] film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'' (1982), which received critical acclaim and established her as an influential figure in the genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Bella |date=2019-11-23 |title=Mysterious death of 80s childstar Heather O'Rourke and the 'Hollywood curse' surrounding it |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/mysterious-death-of-80s-childstar-heather-orourke-and-the-hollywood-curse-surrounding-it/ZODOLPETJFGNEAF72EEOGKRDQQ/ |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-09|title=WandaVision & Poltergeist Crossover Art Theorizes Scarlet Witch is a Villain|url=https://screenrant.com/wandavision-poltergeist-crossover-art-scarlet-witch-villain/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> She went on to reprise the role in ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]'' (1986) and ''[[Poltergeist III]]'' (1988), the last of which was released posthumously.


O'Rourke also worked in television, appearing in the recurring roles of Heather Pfister on the [[comedy series]] ''[[Happy Days]]'' (1982–1983) and Melanie in the [[sitcom]] ''[[Webster (TV series)|Webster]]'' (1983), as well as starring as Sarah Brogan in the television-film [[Surviving (TV movie)|''Surviving: A Family in Crisis'']] (1985).
O'Rourke also worked in television, appearing in the recurring roles of Heather Pfister on the [[comedy series]] ''[[Happy Days]]'' (1982–1983) and Melanie in the [[sitcom]] ''[[Webster (TV series)|Webster]]'' (1983), as well as starring as Sarah Brogan in the television-film ''[[Surviving: A Family in Crisis]]'' (1985).


Throughout her career, O'Rourke was nominated for six [[Young Artist Award]]s, winning once for her role in ''Webster''. On February 1, 1988, O'Rourke died following a series of heart attacks, her cause of death later being ruled as [[congenital disorder|congenital]] [[stenosis]] of the intestine complicated by [[septic shock]].
Throughout her career, O'Rourke was nominated for six [[Young Artist Award]]s, winning once for her role in ''Webster''. On February 1, 1988, O'Rourke died following two cardiac arrests, her cause of death later being ruled as [[congenital disorder|congenital]] [[stenosis]] of the intestine complicated by [[septic shock]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975, in [[San Diego]],<ref name="DeathCertificate">{{cite web|url=http://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/deathcert/orourke,%20heather_dc.pdf|title=Heather O'Rourke death certificate|access-date=March 28, 2018|work=Autopsyfiles}}</ref>{{sfn|Harvey|Harvey|1996|p=122}} to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a [[carpenter]]. She had an older sister, Tammy O'Rourke, also an actress. Her parents divorced in 1981, and O'Rourke's mother married part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984, while they were living in a trailer park in [[Anaheim, California]].<ref name=grieving>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/heather-orourkes-grieving-mother-tells-why-shes-suing-her-childs-doctors-for-wrongful-death-vol-29-no-23/|title=Heather O'Rourke's Grieving Mother Tells Why She's Suing Her Child's Doctors for Wrongful Death|last=Stark|first=John|author2=Hoover, Eleanor |author3=Keogh, Peter |date=June 13, 1988|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=December 30, 2019}}</ref><ref name="johnson">{{cite web|url=http://people.com/archive/snatched-by-poltergeists-demons-heather-orourke-gets-some-bad-news-theyre-here-again-vol-25-no-23/|title=Snatched by Poltergeist's Demons, Heather O'rourke Gets Some Bad News—they're Here Again|first=Johnson|last=Bonnie|date=June 9, 1986|access-date=March 28, 2018|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in [[Big Bear Lake, California]].<ref name="johnson" /> Between acting jobs, O'Rourke attended Big Bear Elementary School, where she was president of her 5th grade class.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2MxRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6698,584973|title=Child actress Heather O'Rourke|date=February 3, 1988|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|page=6|access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> At the time of her death, the family was living in [[Lakeside, California]], a suburb of San Diego.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g8c_AAAAIBAJ&pg=1058,390623|title=Child star of 'Poltergeist,' Heather O'Rourke, dies|date=February 3, 1988|work=The Vindicator|page=44|access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref>
Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975, in [[San Diego]],<ref name="DeathCertificate">{{cite web|url=http://www.autopsyfiles.org/reports/deathcert/orourke,%20heather_dc.pdf|title=Heather O'Rourke death certificate|access-date=March 28, 2018|work=Autopsyfiles}}</ref>{{sfn|Harvey|Harvey|1996|p=122}} to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a [[carpenter]]. She had an older sister, Tammy O'Rourke, also an actress. Her parents divorced in 1981, and O'Rourke's mother married part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984, while they were living in a trailer park in [[Anaheim, California]].<ref name="grieving">{{cite web |last=Stark |first=John |last2=Hoover |first2=Eleanor |last3=Keogh |first3=Peter |name-list-style=and |date=June 13, 1988 |title=Heather O'Rourke's Grieving Mother Tells Why She's Suing Her Child's Doctors for Wrongful Death |url=https://people.com/archive/heather-orourkes-grieving-mother-tells-why-shes-suing-her-childs-doctors-for-wrongful-death-vol-29-no-23/ |access-date=December 30, 2019 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref><ref name="johnson">{{cite web|url=http://people.com/archive/snatched-by-poltergeists-demons-heather-orourke-gets-some-bad-news-theyre-here-again-vol-25-no-23/|title=Snatched by Poltergeist's Demons, Heather O'rourke Gets Some Bad News—they're Here Again|first=Johnson|last=Bonnie|date=June 9, 1986|access-date=March 28, 2018|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in [[Big Bear Lake, California]].<ref name="johnson"/> Between acting jobs, O'Rourke attended Big Bear Elementary School, where she was president of her fifth grade class.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2MxRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6698,584973|title=Child actress Heather O'Rourke|date=February 3, 1988|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|page=6|access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> At the time of her death, the family was living in [[Lakeside, California]], a suburb of San Diego.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g8c_AAAAIBAJ&pg=1058,390623|title=Child star of 'Poltergeist,' Heather O'Rourke, dies|date=February 3, 1988|work=The Vindicator|page=44|access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref>


== Acting career ==
== Acting career ==
In a contemporary interview with ''American Premiere'' magazine, producer [[Steven Spielberg]] explained that he was looking for a "beatific four-year-old child...every mother's dream" for the lead in his horror film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'' (1982).{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}} While eating in the [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]] commissary,<ref name="1988-02-03NYT">{{cite web|date=February 3, 1988|title=Heather O'Rourke, 12; Starred in 'Poltergeist'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/03/obituaries/heather-o-rourke-12-starred-in-poltergeist.html|access-date=January 21, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Spielberg saw five-year-old O'Rourke having lunch with her mother{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}} while older sister Tammy was shooting ''[[Pennies from Heaven (1981 film)|Pennies from Heaven]]''.<ref name="johnson"/><ref name="ACF1988">{{YouTube|id=au-QUyjOF7A|title=Heather O'Rourke Story}} ([[A Current Affair (U.S. TV series)|''A Current Affair'']])</ref> After his lunch, Spielberg approached the family and offered O'Rourke the ''Poltergeist'' role; she was signed the next day, beating [[Drew Barrymore]], who was also up for the role.{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}}{{sfn|Simpson|2010|p=195}}
In a contemporary interview with ''American Premiere'' magazine, producer [[Steven Spielberg]] explained that he was looking for a "beatific four-year-old child...every mother's dream" for the lead in his horror film ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'' (1982).{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}} While eating in the [[MGM]] commissary,<ref name="1988-02-03NYT">{{cite web|date=February 3, 1988|title=Heather O'Rourke, 12; Starred in 'Poltergeist'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/03/obituaries/heather-o-rourke-12-starred-in-poltergeist.html|access-date=January 21, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Spielberg saw five-year-old O'Rourke having lunch with her mother{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}} while older sister Tammy was shooting ''[[Pennies from Heaven (1981 film)|Pennies from Heaven]]''.<ref name="johnson"/><ref name="ACF1988">{{YouTube|id=au-QUyjOF7A|title=Heather O'Rourke Story}} (''[[A Current Affair (American TV program)|A Current Affair]]'')</ref> After his lunch, Spielberg approached the family and offered O'Rourke the ''Poltergeist'' role; she was signed the next day over [[Drew Barrymore]], who instead received the role of Gertie in ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]].{{sfn|Spielberg|Friedman|Notbohm|2000|pages=88–89}}{{sfn|Simpson|2010|p=195}}


{{listen|filename=There here.wav.ogg|title=They're here!|description=O'Rourke's performance of her famous line from ''Poltergeist''|format=[[Ogg]]}}
{{listen|filename=There here.wav.ogg|title=They're here!|description=O'Rourke's performance of her famous line from ''Poltergeist''|format=[[Ogg]]}}
In ''Poltergeist'', O'Rourke played [[Carol Anne Freeling]], a young suburban girl who becomes the conduit and target for supernatural entities. During production, Spielberg twice accommodated the child actress when frightened; when scared by performing a particular stunt, Spielberg replaced O'Rourke with a [[stunt double]] wearing a blonde wig, and when disturbed by the portrayal of [[child abuse]], Spielberg did not require her to perform the [[take]] again.{{sfn|Brode|2000|pages=103–104}} For her work on the film, O'Rourke earned between $35,000 and $100,000.<ref name="MONEY">{{cite magazine|year=1982|title=Money|location=New York City|volume=11|page=140|issn=0015-8259|journal=[[Money (magazine)|Money]]}}</ref> ''Poltergeist'' would go on to receive a [[cult following]] and critical acclaim, garnering three [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominations<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 55th Academy Awards {{!}} 1983|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1983|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|language=en}}</ref> and a [[Young Artist Award]] nomination for O'Rourke. She was lauded for her performance, with ''The New York Times'' noting that she played a key role, writing that "With her wide eyes, long blonde hair and soft voice, she was so striking that the sequel played off her presence."<ref name="1988-02-03NYT" /> Her delivery of the lines "They're here!" in the first film, and "They're baa-aack!" in the second (that film's [[tagline]]), placed her in the collective [[Culture of the United States|pop culture consciousness of the United States]].{{sfn|''People'' Magazine|2007|p=89}} "They're here!" is ranked No. 69 on the [[American Film Institute]]'s list of [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes|100 Movie Quotes]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=AFI's 100 YEARS…100 MOVIE QUOTES|url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-movie-quotes/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=American Film Institute|language=en}}</ref> and [[PopSugar]] included the line on their list of "100 Greatest Movie Quotes".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last1=May 16|first1=Jacklyn KrolPublished|last2=2021|title=2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards: See the Full List of Winners|url=https://popcrush.com/2021-mtv-movie-tv-awards-winners-list/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=PopCrush|language=en}}</ref>
In ''Poltergeist'', O'Rourke played [[Carol Anne Freeling]], a young suburban girl who becomes the conduit and target for supernatural entities. During production, Spielberg twice accommodated the child actress when she was frightened; when she was scared by performing a particular stunt, Spielberg replaced O'Rourke with a [[stunt double]] wearing a blonde wig, and when she was disturbed by the portrayal of [[child abuse]], Spielberg did not require her to perform the [[take]] again.{{sfn|Brode|2000|pages=103–104}} For her work on the film, O'Rourke earned between $35,000 and $100,000.<ref name="MONEY">{{cite magazine |year=1982 |title=Money |location=New York City |volume=11 |page=140|journal=[[Money (magazine)|Money]] |issn=0015-8259}}</ref> ''Poltergeist'' would go on to receive a [[cult following]] and critical acclaim, garnering three [[Academy Award]] nominations<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 55th Academy Awards {{!}} 1983 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1983 |access-date=2021-06-04|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|language=en}}</ref> and a [[Young Artist Award]] nomination for O'Rourke. She was lauded for her performance, with ''The New York Times'' noting that she played a key role, writing that "With her wide eyes, long blonde hair and soft voice, she was so striking that the sequel played off her presence."<ref name="1988-02-03NYT"/> Her delivery of the lines "They're here!" in the first film, and "They're baa-aack!" in the second (that film's [[tagline]]), placed her in the collective [[Culture of the United States|pop culture consciousness of the United States]].<ref>{{cite book| title=People: Gone Too Soon: Remembering 65 Celebrities Who Died Too Young| edition=illustrated| year=2007| publisher=Time Home Entertainment| location=New York City| isbn=978-1-933821-17-7| page=89}}</ref> "They're here!" is ranked No. 69 on the [[American Film Institute]]'s list of [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes|100 Movie Quotes]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AFI's 100 YEARS…100 MOVIE QUOTES|url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-movie-quotes/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=American Film Institute|language=en}}</ref> and [[PopSugar]] included the line on their list of "100 Greatest Movie Quotes".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=May 16, 2021|first=Jacklyn|last=Krol|title=2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards: See the Full List of Winners |website=PopCrush |url=https://popcrush.com/2021-mtv-movie-tv-awards-winners-list/ |access-date=2021-06-04}}</ref>


After her work in ''Poltergeist'' (1982), O'Rourke secured several television and TV movie roles. In April 1983, she starred as herself alongside [[Morey Amsterdam]] and well-known [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney]] animated characters in the hour-long television special, ''Believe You Can...and You Can!''<!-- cite for "as herself": -->{{sfn|Cotter|2009|p=10}}<ref name="19830319IG">{{cite news|date=March 19, 1983|title=Miss O'Rourke, Morey Amsterdam in TV special|page=5|newspaper=[[Indiana Gazette]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|location=Indiana, Pennsylvania}}</ref> She also appeared in ''[[CHiPs]]'', ''[[Webster (TV series)|Webster]]'', ''[[The New Leave It to Beaver]]'', ''[[Our House (1986 TV series)|Our House]]'', and had a recurring role on ''[[Happy Days]]'' as Heather Pfister.<ref name="1988-02-03NYT"/> For ''Webster'', O'Rourke won her first Young Artist Award. She also appeared in the television movies ''[[Massarati and the Brain]]'' and ''[[Surviving: A Family in Crisis]]''.<ref name="NYTfilmo">{{cite news|title=Heather O'Rourke|work=[[The New York Times]]|department=Movies & TV Dept.|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/53639/Heather-O-Rourke/filmography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wtlmWJSs?url=http://movies.nytimes.com/person/53639/Heather-O-Rourke/filmography|archive-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> O'Rourke went on to reprise the role of Carol Anne Freeling in the second and third installments, ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]'' in 1986 and ''[[Poltergeist III]]'' in 1988 respectively; unlike its predecessor, the films garnered mixed reviews,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Darnton|first=Nina|date=1986-05-23|title=SCREEN: JOBETH WILLIAMS IN SEQUEL, POLTERGEIST II'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/23/movies/screen-jobeth-williams-in-sequel-poltergeist-ii.html|access-date=2021-06-04|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1988-02-03|title=Obituary for Heather O'Rourke (Aged 12)|pages=48|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41448354/obituary-for-heather-orourke-aged-12/|access-date=2021-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1988-06-11|title=Movie Reviews : 'Poltergeist III' Goes Through the Looking Glass|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-11-ca-4050-story.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> although O'Rourke's performances were praised. ''Poltergeist III'' was her final feature release before her death in 1988.
After her work in ''Poltergeist'' (1982), O'Rourke secured several television and TV movie roles. In April 1983, she starred as herself alongside [[Morey Amsterdam]] and well-known [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney]] animated characters in the hour-long television special, ''Believe You Can...and You Can!''<!-- cite for "as herself": -->{{sfn|Cotter|2009|p=10}}<ref name="19830319IG">{{cite news |date=March 19, 1983|title=Miss O'Rourke, Morey Amsterdam in TV special|page=5|newspaper=[[Indiana Gazette]]|agency=[[Associated Press]] |location=Indiana, Pennsylvania}}</ref> She also appeared in ''[[CHiPs]]'', ''[[Webster (TV series)|Webster]]'', ''[[The New Leave It to Beaver]]'', ''[[Our House (American TV series)|Our House]]'', and had a recurring role on ''[[Happy Days]]'' as Heather Pfister.<ref name="1988-02-03NYT"/> For ''Webster'', O'Rourke won her first Young Artist Award. She also appeared in the television movies ''[[Massarati and the Brain]]'' and ''[[Surviving: A Family in Crisis]]''.<ref name="NYTfilmo">{{cite news|title=Heather O'Rourke|work=[[The New York Times]]|department=Movies & TV Dept. |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/53639/Heather-O-Rourke/filmography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813022308/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/53639/Heather-O-Rourke/filmography |archive-date=August 13, 2009}}</ref> O'Rourke went on to reprise the role of Carol Anne Freeling in the second and third installments, ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]'' in 1986 and ''[[Poltergeist III]]'' in 1988 respectively; unlike its predecessor, the films garnered mixed reviews,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Darnton|first=Nina|date=1986-05-23 |title=SCREEN: JOBETH WILLIAMS IN SEQUEL, POLTERGEIST II' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/23/movies/screen-jobeth-williams-in-sequel-poltergeist-ii.html|access-date=2021-06-04 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1988-02-03|title=Obituary for Heather O'Rourke (Aged 12)|pages=48|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41448354/obituary-for-heather-orourke-aged-12/|access-date=2021-06-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1988-06-11|title=Movie Reviews: 'Poltergeist III' Goes Through the Looking Glass |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-11-ca-4050-story.html|access-date=2021-06-04 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> although O'Rourke's performances were praised. ''Poltergeist III'' was her final feature, released in June 1988, four months after her death.


== Illness and death ==
== Illness and death ==
In early 1987, O'Rourke became ill with [[giardiasis]], which she contracted from well water at her family's home in Big Bear Lake.<ref name="siegel" /> She was subsequently diagnosed as having [[Crohn's disease]]. She was prescribed [[cortisone]] injections to treat the disease during the time she was filming ''Poltergeist III''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nash|first1=Jay Robert|title=The Motion Picture Guide Annual|last2=Ross|first2=Stanley Ralph|publisher=[[Cinebooks]]|year=1989|page=132}}</ref> The steroidal injections resulted in facial swelling of the cheeks, which O'Rourke's mother said she was very self-conscious about.<ref name="grieving" />[[File:Heather O'Rourke crypt 2.jpg|thumb|Inscription at O'Rourke's crypt|220x220px]]
In early 1987, O'Rourke became ill with [[giardiasis]], which she contracted from [[well water]] at her family's home in Big Bear Lake.<ref name="siegel"/> She was subsequently diagnosed as having [[Crohn's disease]]. She was prescribed [[cortisone]] injections to treat the disease during the time she was filming ''Poltergeist III''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nash |first=Jay Robert |author-link=Jay Robert Nash |title=The Motion Picture Guide Annual |last2=Ross |first2=Stanley Ralph |author-link2=Stanley Ralph Ross |publisher=[[Cinebooks]] |year=1989 |page=132}}</ref> The steroidal injections resulted in facial swelling of the cheeks, which O'Rourke's mother said she was very self-conscious about.<ref name="grieving"/>[[File:Heather O'Rourke crypt 2.jpg|thumb|Inscription at O'Rourke's crypt|220x220px]]
On January 31, 1988, O'Rourke began exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The following morning, she collapsed in her home, and was rushed to Community Hospital in [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]].<ref name=phil/> En route, she suffered [[cardiac arrest]], but paramedics were able to restart her heart at 9:25{{nbsp}}a.m.<ref name=phil/> She was subsequently flown to the Children's Hospital of San Diego,<ref name=phil/> where it was discovered she had intestinal [[stenosis]] and went into emergency surgery. She survived the surgery, but suffered another cardiac arrest while in the recovery room. Doctors performed [[CPR]] for over 30 minutes, but finally, O'Rourke was pronounced dead at 2:43 that afternoon.<ref name=siegel>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/355ac4e0f2b6bd8109f766de6ec0dfb8|work=[[Associated Press]]|title=Doctors: Unusual Circumstances Surrounded Actress' Death|date=February 4, 1988|last=Siegel|first=Fred|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190830193726/https://apnews.com/355ac4e0f2b6bd8109f766de6ec0dfb8|archive-date=August 30, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=phil>{{cite news|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41448354/obituary_for_heather_orourke_aged_12/|title=Heather O'Rourke, 12, a star of 'Poltergeist'|page=48|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 3, 1988}}</ref> O'Rourke's cause of death was ruled [[congenital disorder|congenital]] [[stenosis]] of the intestine<ref name="1988-05-26LAT">{{cite news| title= Suit Blames Doctors in Death of Young Actress| first= Bob| last= Baker| url= http://articles.latimes.com/1988-05-26/news/mn-5241_1_young-actress| newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]| issn= 0458-3035| oclc= 3638237| date= May 26, 1988| page = 35| access-date= August 7, 2008}}</ref> complicated by [[septic shock]].<ref name="1988-02-03NYT"/><ref name="1988-02-03LAT">{{cite news|title= 'Poltergeist' Star Heather O'Rourke Dies at Age of 12|first= Burt A.|last= Folkart|url= http://ar;ticles.latimes.com/1988-02-03/news/mn-27226_1_poltergeist-iii|newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]|location= Los Angeles, California, US|issn= 0458-3035|oclc= 3638237|date= February 2, 1988|page= 3|access-date= May 17, 2011|archive-url= https://www.webcitation.org/5ylIybx3x?url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-03/news/mn-27226_1_poltergeist-iii|archive-date= May 18, 2011|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heather O'Rourke, Star of 'Poltergeist' movies, dies at 12|date=February 2, 1988|work=San Jose Mercury News|page=6A}}</ref>
On January 31, 1988, O'Rourke began exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The following morning, she collapsed in her home, and was rushed to Community Hospital in [[El Cajon, California|El Cajon]].<ref name=phil/> En route, she suffered [[cardiac arrest]], but paramedics were able to restart her heart at 9:25{{nbsp}}a.m.<ref name=phil/> She was subsequently flown to the Children's Hospital of San Diego,<ref name=phil/> where it was discovered she had intestinal [[stenosis]] and went into emergency surgery. She survived the surgery, but suffered another cardiac arrest while in the recovery room. Doctors performed [[CPR]] for over 30 minutes, but O'Rourke was pronounced dead at 2:43 that afternoon.<ref name=siegel>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/355ac4e0f2b6bd8109f766de6ec0dfb8|work=[[Associated Press]]|title=Doctors: Unusual Circumstances Surrounded Actress' Death|date=February 4, 1988|last=Siegel|first=Fred|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190830193726/https://apnews.com/355ac4e0f2b6bd8109f766de6ec0dfb8|archive-date=August 30, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=phil>{{cite news|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41448354/obituary_for_heather_orourke_aged_12/|title=Heather O'Rourke, 12, a star of 'Poltergeist'|page=48|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 3, 1988}}</ref> O'Rourke's cause of death was ruled [[Birth defect|congenital]] stenosis of the intestine<ref name="1988-05-26LAT">{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Bob |date=May 26, 1988 |title=Suit Blames Doctors in Death of Young Actress |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-26-mn-5241-story.html |access-date=May 14, 2024 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=35 |issn=0458-3035 |oclc=3638237}}</ref> complicated by [[septic shock]].<ref name="1988-02-03NYT"/><ref name="1988-02-03LAT">{{cite news|title= 'Poltergeist' Star Heather O'Rourke Dies at Age of 12|first= Burt A.|last= Folkart|url= http://ar;ticles.latimes.com/1988-02-03/news/mn-27226_1_poltergeist-iii|newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]]|location= Los Angeles, California, US|issn= 0458-3035|oclc= 3638237|date= February 2, 1988|page= 3|access-date= May 17, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121105201058/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-03/news/mn-27226_1_poltergeist-iii|archive-date= November 5, 2012|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heather O'Rourke, Star of 'Poltergeist' movies, dies at 12|date=February 2, 1988|work=San Jose Mercury News|page=6A}}</ref>


Daniel Hollander, the head of gastroenterology at the [[University of California, Irvine Medical Center]] stated that O'Rourke's death was "distinctly unusual" as she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect: "I would have expected a lot of [digestive] difficulties throughout her life and not just to have developed a problem all of a sudden."<ref name=siegel/> However, Dr. Hollander further stated that it was possible for congenital bowel narrowing to cause sudden death without symptoms if an infection caused the bowel to rupture.<ref name=siegel/> A private funeral was held for O'Rourke on February 5, 1988, in Los Angeles.<ref name="siegel" /> She was entombed at [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]].<ref name="DeathCertificate" />
Daniel Hollander, the head of gastroenterology at the [[University of California, Irvine Medical Center]] stated that O'Rourke's death was "distinctly unusual" as she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect: "I would have expected a lot of [digestive] difficulties throughout her life and not just to have developed a problem all of a sudden."<ref name=siegel/> However, Dr. Hollander further stated that it was possible for congenital bowel narrowing to cause sudden death without symptoms if an infection caused the bowel to rupture.<ref name=siegel/> A private funeral was held for O'Rourke on February 5 in Los Angeles,<ref name="siegel"/> and she was entombed at [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]].<ref name="DeathCertificate"/>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
Line 52: Line 52:
! scope="row"| 1982
! scope="row"| 1982
| ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]''
| ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]''
| rowspan="3" | [[Carol Anne Freeling]]
| [[Carol Anne Freeling]]
|
|
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/heather-orourke-p53639/filmography|work=[[AllMovie]]|title=Heather O'Rourke Filmography|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200101063456/https://www.allmovie.com/artist/heather-orourke-p53639/filmography|archive-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/heather-orourke-p53639/filmography|work=[[AllMovie]]|title=Heather O'Rourke Filmography|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200101063456/https://www.allmovie.com/artist/heather-orourke-p53639/filmography|archive-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>
Line 58: Line 58:
! scope="row"| 1986
! scope="row"| 1986
| ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]''
| ''[[Poltergeist II: The Other Side]]''
| Carol Anne Freeling
|
|
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg/>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg/>
Line 63: Line 64:
! scope="row"| 1988
! scope="row"| 1988
| ''[[Poltergeist III]]''
| ''[[Poltergeist III]]''
| Carol Anne Freeling
| Posthumous release
| Posthumous release
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg/>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=amg/>
Line 138: Line 140:
|-
|-
! scope="row"| 1987
! scope="row"| 1987
| ''[[Our House (1986 TV series)|Our House]]''
| ''[[Our House (American TV series)|Our House]]''
| Dana
| Dana
| Episode: "A Point of View"
| Episode: "A Point of View"
Line 184: Line 186:
! scope="row"|1986
! scope="row"|1986
|Best Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series
|Best Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series
|[[Surviving (TV movie)|''Surviving'']]
|[[Surviving: A Family in Crisis|''Surviving'']]
|{{nominated}}
|{{nominated}}
|-
|-
Line 194: Line 196:


=== Honors ===
=== Honors ===
⚫
* On the [[American Film Institute]]'s 2005 list of "[[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes|100 Movie Quotes]]", O'Rourke's delivery of "They're here!" in ''Poltergeist'' is ranked No. 69.<ref name=":0"/>

* On the [[American Film Institute]]'s 2005 list of "[[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes|100 Movie Quotes]]", O'Rourke's delivery of "They're here!" in ''Poltergeist'' is ranked No. 69.<ref name=":0" />
* On [[PopSugar]]'s 2021 list of "100 Greatest Movie Quotes", O'Rourke's delivery of "They're here!" in ''Poltergeist'' is listed.<ref name=":1"/>
⚫
* On [[PopSugar]]'s list of "100 Greatest Movie Quotes", O'Rourke's delivery of "They're here!" in ''Poltergeist'' is listed.<ref name=":1" />

*


== References ==
== References ==
Line 205: Line 204:
==Sources==
==Sources==
{{ref begin|30em}}
{{ref begin|30em}}
*{{cite book|last=Brode|first=Douglas |title=Films of Steven Spielberg|edition=2nd|year=2000|publisher=Citadel Press|location=New York City, New York|isbn=0-806-51951-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Brode |first=Douglas |title=Films of Steven Spielberg |edition=2nd |year=2000 |publisher=Citadel Press |location=New York City, New York |isbn=0-806-51951-7}}
*{{cite book| last = Cotter| first= Bill| title= The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History| edition =illustrated| date=May 31, 2009| orig-year=1997| publisher=Disney Hyperion| location =New York City, New York| isbn= 978-0-7868-6359-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Cotter |first=Bill |title=The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History |edition=illustrated |date=May 31, 2009 |orig-year=1997 |publisher=Disney Hyperion |location=New York City, New York |isbn=978-0-7868-6359-4}}
*{{cite book|last1=Harvey|first1=Diana|last2=Harvey|first2=Jackson|year=1996|title=Dead Before Their Time|isbn=978-1-567-99284-7|location=New York City, New York|publisher=Friedman/Fairfax|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/deadbeforetheirt0000harv}}
*{{cite book |last1=Harvey |first1=Diana |last2=Harvey |first2=Jackson |year=1996 |title=Dead Before Their Time |isbn=978-1-567-99284-7 |location=New York City, New York |publisher=Friedman/Fairfax |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/deadbeforetheirt0000harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Lentz|first=Harris|year=1983|title=Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film and Television Credits|isbn=978-0-899-50070-6|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionho0002lent}}
*{{cite book |last=Lentz |first=Harris |year=1983 |title=Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film and Television Credits |isbn=978-0-899-50070-6 |publisher=McFarland |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionho0002lent}}
*{{cite book|last1=Parish|first1=James Robert|author1-link=James Robert Parish|last2=Terrace|first2=Vincent|year=1989|title=The Complete Actors' Television Credits, 1948-1988|volume=2|isbn=978-0-810-82258-0|location=Metuchen, New Jersey|publisher=Scarecrow Press}}
*{{cite book |last=Parish |first=James Robert |author-link=James Robert Parish |last2=Terrace |first2=Vincent |year=1989 |title=The Complete Actors' Television Credits, 1948-1988 |volume=2 |isbn=978-0-810-82258-0 |location=Metuchen, New Jersey |publisher=Scarecrow Press}}
*{{cite book| author= ''People'' Magazine| title= People: Gone Too Soon: Remembering 65 Celebrities Who Died Too Young| edition = illustrated| year= 2007| publisher = Time Home Entertainment| location= New York City, New York| isbn= 978-1-933821-17-7|ref={{SfnRef|''People'' Magazine|2007}}}}
*{{cite book |last=Simpson |first=Paul |title=The Rough Guide to Cult Movies |edition=3rd |year=2010 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-405-38322-6 |location=New York City, New York}}
⚫
*{{cite book |last=Spielberg |first=Steven |last2=Friedman |first2=Lester D. |last3=Notbohm |first3=Brent |editor-last=Friedman |editor-first=Lester D. |editor-last2=Notbohm |editor-first2=Brent |title=Steven Spielberg: Interviews |isbn=1-578-06113-X |author-link=Steven Spielberg |url=https://archive.org/details/stevenspielbergi00spie |url-access=registration |year=2000 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |location=Jackson, Mississippi}}
*{{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Paul |title=The Rough Guide to Cult Movies|edition=3rd|year=2010|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-405-38322-6|location=New York City, New York}}
⚫
*{{cite book|last1=Spielberg|first1=Steven |last2=Friedman|first2=Lester D.|last3=Notbohm|first3=Brent |editor=Friedman, Lester D. |editor2=Notbohm, Brent |title=Steven Spielberg: Interviews|url=https://archive.org/details/stevenspielbergi00spie|url-access=registration|year=2000|publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi|isbn=1-578-06113-X|location=Jackson, Mississippi}}
{{ref end}}
{{ref end}}


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* {{IMDb name|0001576}}
* {{IMDb name|0001576}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=143731|name=Heather O'Rourke}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=143731|name=Heather O'Rourke}}
* {{Find a Grave|1173|Heather Michele O'Rourke}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 233: Line 230:
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]]
[[Category:Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]]
⚫
[[Category:Deaths from sepsis]]
[[Category:Deaths from digestive disease]]
[[Category:Deaths from digestive disease]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from sepsis in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Child deaths]]
[[Category:People from Anaheim, California]]
[[Category:People from Anaheim, California]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Lakeside, California]]
[[Category:People from Big Bear Lake, California]]
[[Category:People from Big Bear Lake, California]]
⚫
[[Category:People from Lakeside, California]]

Latest revision as of 23:49, 13 May 2024

Heather O'Rourke
Young female child with blonde hair posed
O'Rourke c. 1986
Born
Heather Michele O'Rourke

(1975-12-27)December 27, 1975
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 1, 1988(1988-02-01) (aged 12)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting placeWestwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActress
Years active1981–1988

Heather Michele O'Rourke (December 27, 1975 – February 1, 1988) was an American child actress. She had her breakthrough starring as Carol Anne Freeling in the supernatural horror film Poltergeist (1982), which received critical acclaim and established her as an influential figure in the genre.[1][2] She went on to reprise the role in Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist III (1988), the last of which was released posthumously.

O'Rourke also worked in television, appearing in the recurring roles of Heather Pfister on the comedy series Happy Days (1982–1983) and Melanie in the sitcom Webster (1983), as well as starring as Sarah Brogan in the television-film Surviving: A Family in Crisis (1985).

Throughout her career, O'Rourke was nominated for six Young Artist Awards, winning once for her role in Webster. On February 1, 1988, O'Rourke died following two cardiac arrests, her cause of death later being ruled as congenital stenosis of the intestine complicated by septic shock.

Early life

Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975, in San Diego,[3][4] to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a carpenter. She had an older sister, Tammy O'Rourke, also an actress. Her parents divorced in 1981, and O'Rourke's mother married part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984, while they were living in a trailer park in Anaheim, California.[5][6] Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in Big Bear Lake, California.[6] Between acting jobs, O'Rourke attended Big Bear Elementary School, where she was president of her fifth grade class.[7] At the time of her death, the family was living in Lakeside, California, a suburb of San Diego.[8]

Acting career

In a contemporary interview with American Premiere magazine, producer Steven Spielberg explained that he was looking for a "beatific four-year-old child...every mother's dream" for the lead in his horror film Poltergeist (1982).[9] While eating in the MGM commissary,[10] Spielberg saw five-year-old O'Rourke having lunch with her mother[9] while older sister Tammy was shooting Pennies from Heaven.[6][11] After his lunch, Spielberg approached the family and offered O'Rourke the Poltergeist role; she was signed the next day over Drew Barrymore, who instead received the role of Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.[9][12]

They're here!
O'Rourke's performance of her famous line from Poltergeist
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In Poltergeist, O'Rourke played Carol Anne Freeling, a young suburban girl who becomes the conduit and target for supernatural entities. During production, Spielberg twice accommodated the child actress when she was frightened; when she was scared by performing a particular stunt, Spielberg replaced O'Rourke with a stunt double wearing a blonde wig, and when she was disturbed by the portrayal of child abuse, Spielberg did not require her to perform the take again.[13] For her work on the film, O'Rourke earned between $35,000 and $100,000.[14] Poltergeist would go on to receive a cult following and critical acclaim, garnering three Academy Award nominations[15] and a Young Artist Award nomination for O'Rourke. She was lauded for her performance, with The New York Times noting that she played a key role, writing that "With her wide eyes, long blonde hair and soft voice, she was so striking that the sequel played off her presence."[10] Her delivery of the lines "They're here!" in the first film, and "They're baa-aack!" in the second (that film's tagline), placed her in the collective pop culture consciousness of the United States.[16] "They're here!" is ranked No. 69 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Movie Quotes,[17] and PopSugar included the line on their list of "100 Greatest Movie Quotes".[18]

After her work in Poltergeist (1982), O'Rourke secured several television and TV movie roles. In April 1983, she starred as herself alongside Morey Amsterdam and well-known Walt Disney animated characters in the hour-long television special, Believe You Can...and You Can![19][20] She also appeared in CHiPs, Webster, The New Leave It to Beaver, Our House, and had a recurring role on Happy Days as Heather Pfister.[10] For Webster, O'Rourke won her first Young Artist Award. She also appeared in the television movies Massarati and the Brain and Surviving: A Family in Crisis.[21] O'Rourke went on to reprise the role of Carol Anne Freeling in the second and third installments, Poltergeist II: The Other Side in 1986 and Poltergeist III in 1988 respectively; unlike its predecessor, the films garnered mixed reviews,[22][23][24] although O'Rourke's performances were praised. Poltergeist III was her final feature, released in June 1988, four months after her death.

Illness and death

In early 1987, O'Rourke became ill with giardiasis, which she contracted from well water at her family's home in Big Bear Lake.[25] She was subsequently diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. She was prescribed cortisone injections to treat the disease during the time she was filming Poltergeist III.[26] The steroidal injections resulted in facial swelling of the cheeks, which O'Rourke's mother said she was very self-conscious about.[5]

Inscription at O'Rourke's crypt

On January 31, 1988, O'Rourke began exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The following morning, she collapsed in her home, and was rushed to Community Hospital in El Cajon.[27] En route, she suffered cardiac arrest, but paramedics were able to restart her heart at 9:25 a.m.[27] She was subsequently flown to the Children's Hospital of San Diego,[27] where it was discovered she had intestinal stenosis and went into emergency surgery. She survived the surgery, but suffered another cardiac arrest while in the recovery room. Doctors performed CPR for over 30 minutes, but O'Rourke was pronounced dead at 2:43 that afternoon.[25][27] O'Rourke's cause of death was ruled congenital stenosis of the intestine[28] complicated by septic shock.[10][29][30]

Daniel Hollander, the head of gastroenterology at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center stated that O'Rourke's death was "distinctly unusual" as she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect: "I would have expected a lot of [digestive] difficulties throughout her life and not just to have developed a problem all of a sudden."[25] However, Dr. Hollander further stated that it was possible for congenital bowel narrowing to cause sudden death without symptoms if an infection caused the bowel to rupture.[25] A private funeral was held for O'Rourke on February 5 in Los Angeles,[25] and she was entombed at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.[3]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1982 Poltergeist Carol Anne Freeling [31]
1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side Carol Anne Freeling [31]
1988 Poltergeist III Carol Anne Freeling Posthumous release [31]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1981 Fantasy Island Young Liza Blake Episode: "Elizabeth's Baby / The Artist and the Lady" [32]
1982–1983 Happy Days Heather Pfister Recurring role; 12 episodes [33]
1982 Massarati and the Brain Skye Henry Television film [31]
1983 CHiPs Lindsey Episode: "Fun House" [34]
1983 Matt Houston Sunny Kimball Episode: "The Woman in White" [34]
1983 Webster Melanie Recurring role; 3 episodes [34]
1984 Finder of Lost Loves Jillian Marsh Episode: "Yesterday's Child" [34]
1985 Surviving: A Family in Crisis Sarah Brogan Television film [31]
1986–1987 The New Leave It to Beaver Heather Episodes: "Material Girl", "Bad Poetry" [34]
1986 Around the Bend The Daughter Television film [35]
1987 Our House Dana Episode: "A Point of View" [33]
1987 Rocky Road Russian Girl Episode: "Moscow on the Boardwalk" [34]

Accolades

Awards and nominations

O'Rourke was nominated for a collective six Young Artist Awards, one of which was won for her performance on the series Webster in 1985.

Year Award Category Work Result
1983 Young Artist Award Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series Happy Days Nominated
1983 Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Poltergeist Nominated
1984 Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Television Series Webster Nominated
1985 Won
1986 Best Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series Surviving Nominated
1987 Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Poltergeist II: The Other Side Nominated

Honors

References

  1. ^ Fowler, Bella (2019-11-23). "Mysterious death of 80s childstar Heather O'Rourke and the 'Hollywood curse' surrounding it". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  2. ^ "WandaVision & Poltergeist Crossover Art Theorizes Scarlet Witch is a Villain". ScreenRant. 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  3. ^ a b "Heather O'Rourke death certificate" (PDF). Autopsyfiles. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  4. ^ Harvey & Harvey 1996, p. 122.
  5. ^ a b Stark, John; Hoover, Eleanor; and Keogh, Peter (June 13, 1988). "Heather O'Rourke's Grieving Mother Tells Why She's Suing Her Child's Doctors for Wrongful Death". People. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Bonnie, Johnson (June 9, 1986). "Snatched by Poltergeist's Demons, Heather O'rourke Gets Some Bad News—they're Here Again". People. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  7. ^ "Child actress Heather O'Rourke". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 3, 1988. p. 6. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "Child star of 'Poltergeist,' Heather O'Rourke, dies". The Vindicator. February 3, 1988. p. 44. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Spielberg, Friedman & Notbohm 2000, pp. 88–89.
  10. ^ a b c d "Heather O'Rourke, 12; Starred in 'Poltergeist'". The New York Times. February 3, 1988. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  11. ^ Heather O'Rourke Story on YouTube (A Current Affair)
  12. ^ Simpson 2010, p. 195.
  13. ^ Brode 2000, pp. 103–104.
  14. ^ "Money". Money. Vol. 11. New York City. 1982. p. 140. ISSN 0015-8259.
  15. ^ "The 55th Academy Awards | 1983". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  16. ^ People: Gone Too Soon: Remembering 65 Celebrities Who Died Too Young (illustrated ed.). New York City: Time Home Entertainment. 2007. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-933821-17-7.
  17. ^ a b "AFI's 100 YEARS…100 MOVIE QUOTES". American Film Institute. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  18. ^ a b Krol, Jacklyn (May 16, 2021). "2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards: See the Full List of Winners". PopCrush. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  19. ^ Cotter 2009, p. 10.
  20. ^ "Miss O'Rourke, Morey Amsterdam in TV special". Indiana Gazette. Indiana, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. March 19, 1983. p. 5.
  21. ^ "Heather O'Rourke". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009.
  22. ^ Darnton, Nina (1986-05-23). "SCREEN: JOBETH WILLIAMS IN SEQUEL, POLTERGEIST II'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  23. ^ "Obituary for Heather O'Rourke (Aged 12)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 1988-02-03. p. 48. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  24. ^ "Movie Reviews: 'Poltergeist III' Goes Through the Looking Glass". Los Angeles Times. 1988-06-11. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  25. ^ a b c d e Siegel, Fred (February 4, 1988). "Doctors: Unusual Circumstances Surrounded Actress' Death". Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 30, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  26. ^ Nash, Jay Robert; Ross, Stanley Ralph (1989). The Motion Picture Guide Annual. Cinebooks. p. 132.
  27. ^ a b c d "Heather O'Rourke, 12, a star of 'Poltergeist'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 3, 1988. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Baker, Bob (May 26, 1988). "Suit Blames Doctors in Death of Young Actress". Los Angeles Times. p. 35. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Folkart, Burt A. (February 2, 1988). "'Poltergeist' Star Heather O'Rourke Dies at Age of 12". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California, US. p. 3. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  30. ^ "Heather O'Rourke, Star of 'Poltergeist' movies, dies at 12". San Jose Mercury News. February 2, 1988. p. 6A.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Heather O'Rourke Filmography". AllMovie. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020.
  32. ^ Lentz 1983, p. 1237.
  33. ^ a b "Heather O'Rourke Credits". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020.
  34. ^ a b c d e f Parish & Terrace 1989, p. 279.
  35. ^ "Heather O'Rourke". Film Industry Digest. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020.

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heather Michele O'Rourke.
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