Was in a school play two months before her final breath. At first, they didnt recognize him but when he introduced himself as Steven Spielberg to them, they became quite flustered. THE mysterious deaths of 1980s child actress Heather O'Rourke and three of her co-stars from the film Poltergeist has sparked fears of a "Hollywood curse". [on the first two Poltergeist movies]: The first one I saw 12 times. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a seamstress. Heather O'Rourke is a Capricorn and was born in The Year of the Rabbit Life Heather O'Rourke was born in Santee, CA on Saturday, December 27, 1975 (Generation X generation). 3/ Heather's parents sued the doctors who had earlier misdiagnosed her with Crohn's disease, missing the bowel blockage that ultimately led to her death. Heather Michele O'Rourke was born in San Diego, California, on December 27, 1975, to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. They admitted her to the hospital this time and did a complete examination. But the first time you see it, it really jumps you. Her mother, Kathleen, did not know she was pregnant with twins when she had the miscarriage. The informant claims "the parents were told some crap story. Overjoyed, they announced their pregnancy to family and friends, and with all of the accompanying anxiety, excitement, and anticipation of the arrival of another ORourke, they started planning for the birth that was to be expected at the end of that year. She was sitting alone in the MGM Commissary waiting for her mother when a stranger approached her asking her name. Heather O'Rourke 1975. december 27-n ltta meg a napvilgot San Diegban Kathleen s Michael O'Rourke gyermekeknt. The shot was painstakingly setup by Spielberg himself and had all the promise of being a spectacular effect on film. The following three years that Heather, Tammy, and their mother Kathy lived in Anaheim would be a bit of struggle for them and yet, the girls had adapted remarkably well to their new lives and surroundings and were very happy. She had Irish, English, German, and Danish ancestry. She told Heather to get dressed but shortly after getting up from the table, Heather cried out to her mother as she slumped to the floor holding her stomach. A child . Four days later, the O'Rourke family and friends gathered to greet the 1976 Bicentennial New Year, and to celebrate the homecoming of Baby Heather; the newest addition to the O'Rourke family. Other non-acting TV appearances included: an afternoon on the 1986 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon where she took phone pledges as part of a panel of child actors, two stints as a celebrity judge on a special childrens edition of the popular amateur talent show called Puttin On The Hits, and as a guest on shows including The Merv Griffin Show, and various AM talk shows and PM entertainment shows. She was misdiagnosed by the hospital and the parents later sued but settled out of court. After her parents' divorce, O'Rourke rarely saw her birth father and called her stepfather "Dad". Aside from that scene and a few others that really frightened her, Heather had great fun making her scary movie both on and off the set. The movie was Poltergeist. Heather played the character Carol-Anna Freeling in all three of Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist films. Heathers response was Mom, I cant swallow. But in . Ranked #65 on VH1's '100 Greatest Kid Actors' special. | She had appeared in ads and on packaging for Mattel toys including one of the Barbie dolls, but with an agent who represented actors, now she would be auditioning for acting roles, in addition to appearing in restaurant commercials for McDonalds and later, Long John Silvers. They immediately set to the task of writing the screenplay and by the spring of 1983 (not quite a year since the release of the first Poltergeist) had completed it. With this setup, they could tilt the entire room and camera and with fans blowing, make things look like they were being sucked into the closet by a spectral vacuum cleaner when in reality, objects were sliding by gravity towards the low end of the room. Her mother climbed into the cab for the short trip to the local emergency room. She has managed to keep her personal life away from the limelight hence she has not disclosed any information about her parents. Heather seemed confident about being able to do this and so together, they relayed back and forth, Spielberg giving lines and direction, and Heather following along. Heather O'Rourke was born on December 27, to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. This was the famous closet-sucking scene for which they used a special moveable room. She had surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine. Terry Merryman, spokeswoman for Children's Hospital of San Diego, said Heather died Monday of septic shock due to congenital stenosis of the lower intestine, or bowel. Heather O'Rourke Height and Weight. Team Owner. Heather already had a small list of non-acting credits to her name. In between TV appearances she would go on to film Poltergeist II and ultimately Poltergeist III, reprising her now famous character Carol Anne in both films. Her parents divorced in 1981, and O'Rourke's mother married part-time truck . Kathleen had actually conceived twins, a boy and a girl, and it was the boy who had been miscarried. He introduced himself as Steven, asked her what her name was, and if he could talk to her. With plenty of relatives living close-by, the ORourkes and their extended family enjoyed a typical and comfortable suburban existence. Heather O'Rourke was chosen for the film when she was eating lunch with her mother and sister at an "MGM" commissary. Along with Heathers growing success came a growing salary and so with a newly formed corporation in her name and with her earnings from Poltergeist II and her latest TV appearances, she and her family picked out a new house in Big Bear with the intention of making it their permanent home. She was taken to Kaiser Hospital, and they confirmed it was only the flu, but when symptoms continued, they diagnosed her as having Crohn's Disease, a chronic inflammation of the intestine. In anticipation, MGM announced their plans in 1984 to film Poltergeist II and so with the rumour of the sequel already making its rounds, and with a completed screenplay and script, all that the producers needed was a director (or so they thought). Acted in her middle school Library/Literature Club's production of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" in her nightgown with her favorite teddy bear in December of 1987. She had a twin brother who died during pregnancy. The young actor played Carol-Anne Freeling in all three of Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist films and also had parts in popular TV shows Webster and Happy Days. Naturally, Heather was the first actor to be contacted for Poltergeist III because by now, MGM knew fully well that any future successes depended upon her. But the unnatural movement of the bedroom-set startled Heather and the wire-harness was very uncomfortable, not to mention the huge special effects fans, which constantly blew air in her face and ears for long periods of time, wearing away at her patience. In the early Spring of 1975, Kathleen ORourkes doctor delivered the wonderful news that she and her husband Michael had waited for several weeks to hear: they were going to have their second child. It's just my name I'm writing. O'Rourke likes spending her free time with her husband . Still, she believes it was precisely this naivete that ultimately led her to beat out prominent actors, like Poltergeist star Heather O'Rourke, for the role of the Childlike Empress. The audition lasted practically all day as more than 350 kids danced their hearts out but when the dust settled, only ten of them were left standing. She was now nine, and with her age had come experience, wisdom, and of course acting ability. She was already accustomed to the hustle-and-bustle of these surroundings and so was not worried when a bearded and bespectacled man approached her table. Was an avid reader; her former 7th Grade English teacher honors this passion of hers by making all her students observe what she calls "Heather O'Rourke Love of Reading Week"; the last book she was reading was "Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl". Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a carpenter. They started a candy selling business in front of the Honda dealership where their stepfather was employed. She is best remembered for her roles of 'Carol Anne Freeling' in the Poltergeist horror movie franchise (1982, 1986, and 1988). Tammy O'Rourke, her older sister, is also an actress. So, while Heather was gone filming, the house in Big Bear was sold and they began the moving process. She was 12. Actress. Her ex boyfriend strangled her. I don't think it would scare anyone. Heather was delighted that she would be able to step out of the door of their mobile home and walk to the set at Disneyland a few blocks away. In 1986, the highly anticipated sequel to her first movie, Poltergeist (1982), Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) debuted in theaters; it was her riveting performance in this film that cemented her a place in Hollywood history. She did not improve and so her mother took her to San Diego again. By the end of 1986 though, that was all to change when once again, MGM proved how important Heather was to them by announcing their plans for a third installment in the Poltergeist series. In the ambulance, Heather suffered cardiac arrest and died on the operating table at 2:43 p.m. at the tender age of 12. The final outcome was that their parents separated, and later divorced, and the girls and their mother permanently relocated to the L.A. area. In 1984, their mother Kathy met and married a part-time truck-driver named Jim Peele who lived in the same mobile home park. That summer, they finished filming their movies and by the Fall of 1981, their mother starting working again, the girls started at new schools, and the acting and auditioning for new parts continued. Kathleen O'rourke is the mother of poltergeist actress, #Heatherorourke. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was diagnosed as have Crohn's disease, and they were treating her she was on steroids and I guess the only side effects were the chipmunk . We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. Performed from age 3 in numerous commercials before her, As a gift from the crew, she got to keep the goldfish from. Celia Foster, Other Works This website is dedicated to the life and memory of child actress Heather O'Rourke. Born in San Diego, California, she was discovered in 1980 by director Steven Spielberg, while eating lunch with her mother in the MGM Studio Commissary. She was discovered by director Steven Spielberg when she was visiting MGM's studios. She is not dating anyone. Shortly thereafter, Tammy and their mother returned,and they were quite surprised to find a man sitting with Heather. The little actress was a keen shopper. O'Rourke became ill in early 1987 and was misdiagnosed by doctors at Kaiser Permanente Hospital as having Crohn's disease. Heather O'Rourke appeared destined for greatness after breaking through as a child star in the Poltergeist movies and on Happy Days in the 1980s. Heather O'Rourke (December 27, 1975 - February 1, 1988) played the recurring role of Heather Pfister, the 7-year-old daughter of Ashley Pfister, a divorcee who was Fonzie's steady girlfriend in Season 10 of Happy Days, appearing in five episodes that season. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/heather-o-rourke-43478.php, American Female Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities. By age five, barely after starting kindergarten, she would be making her first TV show appearance on ABCs Fantasy Island. Was featured on The Great Mouse Ride in Disney World. She screamed until she broke down in tears. Since Heather was still too young for school, she always accompanied her mother to Tammys rehearsals and filming, and it did not take long before Mrs. ORourke noticed that Heather too, seemed interested in acting. Mr. ORourke was a carpenter by trade, and Mrs. ORourke occasionally worked part-time in order to help make ends meet. Her mother was a seamstress while her father worked as a carpenter. Heather O'Rourke Age. Saturday, she stayed at home most of the day but in the evening went out to eat dinner at the restaurant where Tammy worked and seemed to be feeling all right. LOS ANGELES (AP) The death of 12-year-old Poltergeist actress Heather O'Rourke was distinctly unusual because she lacked prior symptoms of the bowel defect that reportedly killed her, gastrointestinal doctors say. The film, which was released in 1982, made her an instant child star. More information about her husband will be updated as soon as possible. Cha m c b ly d nm 1981 v m ca Heather kt hn vi ti x xe ti Jim Peele vo nm 1984. She quickly won the respect, admiration, and especially the affection of the entire cast and crew, and, as an added consolation for her suffering, Heather was also allowed to take home the two goldfish that had been used for one of her less scary scenes. Heather O'Rourke (December 27, 1975 - February 1, 1988) was an American child actress. When the paramedics arrived, they immediately began assessing her condition and treating her accordingly. In addition to not working with any other familiar faces, Poltergeist III was to take place in Chicago which meant that most of it would be filmed there as well, and for the first time in her life, Heather would be far away from home for many months. Heather Michele O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975 in San Diego, California, USA, to Michael and Kathleen. It seemed that he wanted to get to know Heather better and that maybe she might be right for the part after all. About Latest Posts But her mother was not convinced and again returned to San Diego when Heathers symptoms persisted despite taking the prescribed medications. Before O'Rourke began acting, the family lived in a trailer park in Anaheim. Well, after you see it a lot of times, it isn't so much. If there is a sequel, a 'Poltergeist IV,' I hope it's the last. It didn't excite me, it didn't even scare me. She was an adorable young girl with white-blonde hair and a remarkable talent for both charming and frightening audiences. They gently placed her onto a gurney and loaded her into the back of the ambulance. As terribly heartbreaking as this is there may be more . O'Rourke studied at Big Bear Elementary School. Being able to memorize 60 pages of script an hour, she would have already memorized the entire script. . [19] On January 31, 1988, O'Rourke suddenly became ill again, vomiting and unable to keep anything in her stomach. . Her last words were "I love you," addressed to her dear mother. The strange symptoms were also attributed to flu and Heather was prescribed the standard treatment. During the time that she was in Chicago, Heather had written Tammy a letter expressing her homesickness for Santee and her hopes of both moving back there and of returning to her old school, but since they were now living in Lakeside, the district zoning stated that, as a resident of Lakeside, Heather had to attend a Lakeside school. I hope to do a different character some day. I won't get it until I'm 18, so I'll use it for college. O'Rourke upptcktes som liten av regissren Steven Spielberg. I just thought it was too boring. Born In: Santee, California, United States, place of death: Encinitas, California, United States. Heather stands at an average height and in moderate weight. After her parents' divorce, O'Rourke rarely saw her birth father and called her stepfather "Dad". A very tired and hoarse Heather went home that night not really caring if she got the part, but Spielberg already knew that he had found his leading (little) lady because a 4-year-old actress who could sit still for an hour, take direction, and actually read a script, was worth her weight in gold. But the illness lingered and as pre-production for Poltergeist III approached, Heathers mother and even her agent and manager were worried that she was still ill. Though neither of the actor/directors whom she admired went to film school themselves, Heather already had a plan to attend either USC or the rival UCLA to study directing and so working on this production would present a good opportunity for her to start developing her director skills. Heather had come a long way since her first acting appearance at four. Spielberg was looking for a. Poltergeist is regarded Actress: Poltergeist. Planned to attend college at UCLA and major in filmmaking. The second one I only saw twice because I didn't think it was too great. She died during surgery in 1988 after being misdiagnosed with Crohn's disease. The response of audiences to her presence in the first film was so profound that the writers quickly realized she should be the focal point of the second movie as well. The only unanswered questions were, could she act, and more importantly, could she scream convincingly? Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a carpenter. Dating & Relationship status She is currently single. Heather even had a daring side to her personality: she had an ATC (a three-wheeled all-terrain-cycle) that her stepfather got her while working at the local Honda dealer and so, clad in an extra-small sized helmet and size 1 riding boots, she could often be seen rumbling (cautiously) around the trails and back roads of Big Bear. 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. After Heather was stabilized, her mother was informed of her critical condition and that she would have to be transported by LifeFlight helicopter to another hospital. Was given the clapperboard from her final movie Poltergeist III. This special baby, who almost never was, would be destined for much more than just an ordinary life; she would eventually charm her way into the minds and hearts of people throughout the world, and with the words theyre here, and the eerie image of her tiny silhouette and little hands upon a television screen, would become an indelible memory to an entire generation of horror movie fans. One scene in particular was very physically demanding and could not be performed convincingly with a stunt double. Unable to discover the source of the infection, they could not prove conclusively that Heather had gotten Giardia from water in Big Bear. Heather O'Rourke (1975-1988) Heather Michele O'Rourke (Bernie or Heath ) was born on December 27, 1975 in Santee, San Diego, California, to Kathleen, a seamstress, and Michael O'Rourke, a construction worker. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Her home life did not, ironically, include the viewing of certain filmsparticularly not horror films. She had German, Danish, English, and Irish ancestry. They eventually closed-up shop for good and Heather decided to stick with acting. The agent handling Tammys career recognized this as well and offered to represent Heather, and so soon enough, the photogenic 4-year-old starting getting some exposure. She joined the station in October 2011. MGM was persistent though, and eventually offered the writing and production of Poltergeist II to Steven Spielbergs co-writers from the first film. 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