But regardless of what actually ended her life. However, congenital bowel narrowing could cause sudden death after years without symptoms if infection caused the bowel to rupture or become perforated, said Dr. Frank Sinatra, head of gastroenterology at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. After the funeral, the casket was carried 100 yards to a sun- splashed mausoleum wall and sealed in a ground-level crypt near that of actor Peter Lawford. Dennis Estill told 120 mourners attending the simple 20- minute funeral Friday at Westwood Memorial . He became famous after co-founding and directing The Living Theater in 1947. Now, a top attorney has come forward with evidence that Heather was raped by powerful movie businesseliteson the set of a TV show calledRocky Road.. Its still very peculiar that she didnt experience any kind of worrisome symptoms before the age of 12. Dominique Dunne was strangled in October, 1982. Relatives and friends are invited to meet for her Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 21, The Church of the Gesu (2470 Miramar Blvd., University Hts.) based on information from your browser. We just might jinks it. While its not uncommon for actors to die after all death is a mistress that we will all inevitably court it is very strange that all four of these performers passed away in such quick succession in such unexpected ways. [5][6] Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in Big Bear Lake, California. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. He would end up having to fight an even tougher battle [] More, What could be more mysterious than an island filled with buried treasure? Facts Verse Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. The obstruction caused an infection that, in turn, brought on septic shock. We are sad to announce that on November 3, 2020 we had to say goodbye to Heather O'Rourke (Peterborough, Ontario). Maybe a little older. 1 Year-Later She Realizes Her Huge Mistake, Tragic Anna May Wong Died Before Her Final Movie Role, Why Vivian Vance Celebrated the Death of William Frawley, How Each Threes Company Cast Member Died, Why Guy Williams Only Lasted for 5 Episodes of Bonanza, The Fun Girls from Andy Griffith Were Completely Different Off-Screen, The ONE Time Dolly Parton Got Naked in Public, Rare Photos of Lynda Carter Not Suitable for All Ages, The Truth About Tammy Wynettes Kidnapping Has Finally Been Revealed, The Most Embarrassing Cheerleader Photos Ever Taken, The Tragic Death of Robert Urich & His Wife. That means she died of shock caused by infection in the blood, which in turn was caused by a birth defect that made a section of her intestine abnormally narrow. O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home : Obituaries : Salamanca NY 14779 Home About Us Pre Need Resources Gallery Obituaries Directions Contact Us Obituaries 2022 William E. Goodman October 13, 2022 Stephen P. Myers Jr. October 13, 2022 Natasha L. Rychcik October 9, 2022 Catherine A. Benjamin October 8, 2022 Donald D. Rowland October 6, 2022 Mike Meyer, the actress manager and lawyer, said Heather didnt suffer chronic digestive problems, and the bowel narrowing wasnt discovered until she underwent surgery and died on the operating table after suffering cardiac arrest en route to the hospital. Heather O'Rourke Was NOT Killed By 'Hollywood Pedophile Ring' Fact checked December 12, 2017 Sean Adl-Tabatabai Entertainment 6 Comments 11.1k SHARES Editors correction: The original story detailed claims by a self-professed 'entertainment lawyer' that Poltergeist child star Heather O'Rourke was raped and murdered by Hollywood studio executives. Essentially, what that means in laymens terms is that she died of a shock brought on by an infection that entered into her bloodstream. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The death of 12-year-old Poltergeist actress Heather ORourke was distinctly unusual because she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect that reportedly killed her, gastrointestinal doctors say. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Failed to remove flower. Finally the family turns to a parapsychologist to exorcise the demons. English Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975 in Santee, San Diego, This browser does not support getting your location. The show began airing in 1957, and Guy received his role after auditioning for Walt Disney personally. Tap the bell icon to turn on notifications. 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. Heather entered American cinematic pop-culture before first grade. After the funeral, the casket was carried 100 yards to a sun-splashed mausoleum wall and sealed in a ground-level crypt near one occupied by actor Peter Lawford. I was the same age as the actress coming in. Catastrophic Covid Vax Mandates Shutting Down Hospitals, Medical Centers and Healthcare Systems Like This?! Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. pressStar of Poltergeist Heather ORourke was killed by a Hollywood pedophile ring. Moderate bowel narrowing at birth might not cause symptoms, but a lack of symptoms before age 12 would be distinctly unusual, said Dr. Paul Hyman, chief of pediatric gastroenterology at Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center. In a world of plastics, she was real, the Rev. [7] At the time of her death, the family was living in Lakeside, California, a suburb of San Diego. About This Site. She wanted a Rolls-Royce, the minister said. Portrayed by stars Vivian Vance and William Frawley. [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. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, Canada, Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, Your Scrapbook is currently empty. It just didnt make any sense. She is best remembered for her roles of 'Carol Anne Freeling' in the "Poltergeist" horror movie franchise (1982, 1986, and 1988). The 7-year-old daughter of Ashley Pfister, a divorcee who was once Fonzies girlfriend in the tenth season of Happy Days. Funeral date Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary 1218 Glendon Ave, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles . While Robert Urich was famous for doing battle with tough foes on the screen. She had actually contracted some kind of intestinal parasite the year prior. But some people seem to think that its one of the most cursed films in Hollywoods history as well. She's a celebrity who you may have only come across if you're a classic horror film fanatic, as she found fame as a child star after she played Carol Ann Freeling in the first three Poltergeist movies. The show took placearounda beach just so they could make these girls wear next to nothing. What made her death especially unsettling was the fact that she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect that supposedly killed her. We had been shooting for months and I was old news. And died while shes on the operating table shortly after she arrived there. He claims that it was this attack, which was one of many, that ultimately led to her untimely death. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, Prevatt Funeral Home & Cremation Services. The obstruction caused an infection that, in turn, brought on septic shock. Of all the things she was proud of, he added, (she was proudest of) being elected president of her fifth grade class at Big Bear Elementary School., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Want to solve climate change? "Chickie" Seitz March 12, 2016, Ludmilla O. Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975, in San Diego, to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Although maybe we shouldnt speak so soon. She was sitting alone in the MGM Commissary waiting for her mother when a stranger approached her asking her name. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Heather died Monday of an infection caused by a congenital intestinal defect. List of Mass Shootings in the United States in 2021, CLICK FOR RECENT POSTS, SEARCH & ARCHIVES , http://www.neonnettle.com/features/1273-top-lawyer-confirms-poltergeist-child-actor-killed-by-hollywood-pedophile-ring. January 16, 2023, 9:22 am, by Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Doused in superstition fueled by a handful of mysterious deaths of its cast members. Description: Born Heather Michele O'Rourke on 27 December 1975 in Santee, San Diego, California, Heather entered American cinematic pop-culture before she entered first grade. In later interviews, she confessed that she planned on going to UCLA to major in filmmaking, and to become a film director. Throughout her career, O'Rourke was nominated for six Young Artist Awards, winning once for her role in Webster. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. She appeared in five episodes of that season. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Heather came to films in a tradition that dates back to Lana Turner when that actress was supposedly (but wasnt really) discovered at a drugstore counter. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. [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. Filming was completed on a third Poltergeist movie last June. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Try again later. They had it set up like a peep show almost. He was only 53 years old. 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. February 28, 2022, 7:19 pm, by He put out a statement shortly after her death confirming that she didnt suffer from chronic digestive problems. Her agent, David Wardlowe, said she had been rushed to the hospital after complaining of abdominal pain. Failed to report flower. GREAT NEWS! Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Anyway, nows your turn to let your voice be heard. Most likely from drinking contaminated well water at her familys former home in Big Bear. The young actor playedCarol-Anne Freeling in all three of Steven SpielbergsPoltergeistfilms and also had parts in popular TV showsWebsterandHappy Days. True stardom eludes her over the course of her career as a result of racism that she experiences professionally. Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975, in San Diego,[3][4] to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Sorry! Most children who are unlucky enough to be born with such an unfortunate abnormality have to receive a great deal of medical attention from a very early age. 'Poltergeist' Star Heather O'Rourke Dies at Age of 12 By BURT A. FOLKART Feb. 3, 1988 12 AM PT Times Staff Writer Heather O'Rourke, the terrified youngster sucked into a spectral vacuum. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, however, the films director Gil Kenan recalled that during the movies production there indeed a little bit of paranormal activity observed on the set. Steven Spielbergs Poltergeist is often regarded as one of the most terrifying horror films of all time. However, as the intestinal muscle upstream of the narrowing is strained by trying to push material through the narrowing, there may be more and more widening of the bowel tissue so it becomes infested with bacteria and eventually perforates or bursts, Hyman said. Heather was 5 and sitting in the MGM commissary, said her former manager, Mike Meyer. Then three of the guys took her to a different area of the studio., pressThere are claims Steve Spielberg has information on Heather ORourkes death, Heather was acting in the eighties and she was not yet a tween, had hit films and television appearances / this matches, ENT LAWYER claims this girl was first molested at 5 or 6, Heather was discovered by Steven Speilberg and had her first acting role at the age of 5 in a show called Fantasy Island / this matches, The exact television show set that these events occurred on cannot be verified 100% but the clues seem to lead to Rocky Road as it was filmed in the same studio as jeopardy (which is still running today) and Pewee Herman (who is alluded to for being busted masturbating in a theater) /this matches or at least makes sense, A medic needed to be called because something had been inserted into the girl which ended up eventually killing her / this could match as Heather died of bowel problems. I cant watch it knowing what happened to her there. Facts Verse The second was, Theyre baaaack! which was featured in the sequel. According to Heather O'Rourke's death certificate, she died from a tragic combination of an acute bowel obstruction, suspected septic shock, and cardio-respiratory arrest on February 1, 1988, just a few weeks after her 12th birthday.The Associated Press reported three days after she died that one doctor said the young actress' sudden death was "distinctly unusual," because the issue that . Beloved Daughter-Sister"Carol Anne" - Poltergeist I, II, III. They brought her out and the front four rows of this theatre were filled with guys who were already rubbing themselves. January 9, 2023, 4:41 pm, by . The Poltergeist films, first released in 1982, told of a mid-America family living an idyllic life in the suburbs, whose young daughter begins communing with creatures she sees on her television screen, but only after regular programming ends and the screen has become a series of eerie dots. The actor who played Carol Annes most fierce opponent, the doomsday cult leader Kane, was the next person to fall victim to the supposed Poltergeist Curse. 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. She was filming Poltergeist III. She contracted an intestinal parasite last winter, probably from well water at her former home in Big Bear, and her doctors assumed the parasite inflamed the intestine, he said. She also showed an amazing ability to memorize, and often showed up on sets with all of the lines fully memorized. To all who knew her, she was genuine. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. The shock prompted full cardiac and pulmonary arrest. Basic information Born December 27, 1975 Birthplace San Diego, California, USA Died February 1, 1988 (aged 12) Deathplace San Diego, California, US Gender Female Character information Appeared on Happy Days Appeared as Heather Pfister Episodes appeared in Due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be a private family funeral and interment. Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! 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. Here is Heather O'Rourke's obituary. The lights were focused on her and she couldnt really see out to the audience. [13] For her work on the film, O'Rourke earned between $35,000 and $100,000. All of these guys were doing what another star at that same studio got busted for. I cannot understand what precipitated the death because its usually clear when theyre born they have an important disease, said Dr. Carlo Di Lorenzo, a University of Southern California pediatrician. Steven Spielberg, who co-wrote and produced the first of the Poltergeist series, saw her and asked if he could talk to her. ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE! https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1173/heather-o'rourke. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Also buried at the cemetery 10 miles west of downtown are actresses Natalie Wood, Donna Reed, Marilyn Monroe and producer Darryl F. Zanuck. That blood infection was in turn likely caused by a birth defect that made a portion of her small intestine unusually narrow. But Heather seemed perfectly happy and healthy in the days proceeding her death. Verify and try again. "[25] However, Dr. Hollander further stated that it was possible for congenital bowel narrowing to cause sudden death without symptoms if an infection caused the bowel to rupture. In a world of plastics, she was real, the Rev. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. [10] For Webster, O'Rourke won her first Young Artist Award. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Having starred in such television programs as VEGA$ and Spenser: For Hire. The medical community was completely dumbstruck by the unusual circumstances surrounding Heather ORourkes death. Child actress Heather O'Rourke died in 1988. A lot of folks tend to think that the Poltergeist Curse got its start the very same year that the first movie released. Heathers open pink-and-gray metal casket was set amid several floral arrangements. He would have expected her to already have had a great deal of digestive problems throughout her life. He died from complications of stomach cancer on September 14, 1985, at the age of 60. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. [8], In a contemporary interview with American Premiere magazine, producer Steven Spielberg explained that he was looking for a "beatific four-year-old childevery mother's dream" for the lead in his horror film Poltergeist (1982). Beck, who was far more than just an actor, was an avid lover of the arts. The blond youngster also appeared in several television shows, including Happy Days and Webster.. However, she is most famous for portraying Carol Anne Fleming in the hit 1982 Steven Spielberg film Poltergeist and its two sequels. While the official cause of death was "congenital stenosis of the intestine complicated by septic shock", doctors could not explain why this young girl died so suddenly. 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