"But you're a stranger, and I can't talk to you". I'm really not afraid of spooky things. Fellow cast members described Heather as having a calming influence on the set. Heather Michele O'Rourke (December 27, 1975 - February 1, 1988) [3] was an American child actress. She had taken a break from TV acting but was looking forward to the following spring, which was when some additional filming of Poltergeist III would need to be done in order to make its scheduled release in the Summer of 1988. Heather answered with surprising frankness for a four-year-old when she informed him that she was not allowed to talk to strangers and that she was waiting for her mother and sister to return with their lunch. With the actors now secure, they found their director in Brian Gibson, an Englishman who had directed many projects for British film and television but was a relative newcomer to the U.S. film industry. Still the cautious mother that she was, Kathleen took Heather back to San Diego for several more thorough follow-up examinations before leaving for Chicago in April to start filming Poltergeist III. After her parents' divorce, O'Rourke rarely saw her birth father and called her stepfather "Dad". The final outcome was that their parents separated, and later divorced, and the girls and their mother permanently relocated to the L.A. area. 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. Heather O'Rourke was born on December 27, to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. 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. 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. Heather was born in 1975 and died at the age of only 12 in 1988 from intestinal stenosis a severe bowel obstruction that the girl evidently had from birth. The shock prompted full cardiac and pulmonary arrest. The obstruction caused an infection that, in turn, brought on septic shock. Heather was prescribed a medication called Flagyl and her condition improved over the next few weeks. She has black hair and brown eyes. Back then it never crossed my mind that the girl could have been sexually abused. Her last words were "I love you," addressed to her dear mother. "My name is Heather O'Rourke," she said. On January 29th, a Friday morning, Heather had casually mentioned to her sister Tammy that she did not feel like attending P.E. 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". 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. A top entertainment lawyer has confirmed that the child star of movie Poltergeist, Heather O'Rourke, was killed by an elite Hollywood pedophile ring. They, along with their mother and stepfather, enjoyed outdoor activities too and as a family, would ski together in winter, and in summer go on long bicycle rides through the picturesque areas that surrounded their home. In this interview Kathy talks about how her daughter got into acting and her death Show more. The film, which was released in 1982, made her an instant child star. 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. Heather Michele O'Rourke, fdd 27 december 1975 i San Diego, Kalifornien, dd 1 februari 1988 i San Diego, Kalifornien, var en amerikansk barnskdespelare. But in . Heather was started on medication for Crohns disease to minimize further inflammation and damage to her intestine. The unexpected death of the child star Heather O'Rourke at age 12 cemented an urban legend that was circulating for years: The movie "Poltergeist" was cursed. To be able to do this though, they would have to look outside of San Diego and so she and her mother (with Heather in tow) began to make regular trips to the Los Angeles area for auditions and tryouts. Why do people want my autograph? 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. Heather also did not particularly care for the movie itself personally, but for her this was work and so she completed the role with her usual dedication and professionalism, which was something rarely seen in a nine-year-old actor. Born to a middle-class family, she attended Big Bear Elementary School. She was 12. 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. When this occurred, the infectious contents spilled into Heathers abdomen and bacteria had entered her bloodstream, where they rapidly multiplied and spread throughout her body. This was mainly because of Heathers keen eye for 80s fashions that she insisted be properly coordinated, and to her, this meant that all of her outfits had to have matching accessories such as earrings, watches, shoes and purses. Filming was eventually completed behind schedule in late 1985 and after rushed post-production, the movie premiered in May of the following year. Finally, he cued her for a screaming demonstration. (Heather O'Rourke's) older sister, actress Dominique Dunne was murdered. Ron Pennington, a spokesman for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. On this particular day, Heather was sitting by herself waiting, as usual, for her mother and Tammy to return. At the end of January 1988, Heather started feeling slightly ill again. Heather O'Rourke Parents and Siblings. She died in 1988 at the age of 12 from intestinal stenosis - a severe bowel obstruction. Official Sites. Poltergeist (1982) -- (Movie Clip) They're Here The younger kids (Oliver Robins, Heather O'Rourke), frightened by thunder, have wound up in bed with their parents (Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams) when young Carol Anne, watching the TV sign-off again, has her most tangible contact yet with the visitors, in the Steven Spielberg-produced . She also holds the distinction of being the youngest (age 5 at the time) actor/actress to utter the line that made the list. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a carpenter. After Heather moved to Big Bear, she continued to work steadily but her acting always revolved around her home life. By age five, barely after starting kindergarten, she would be making her first TV show appearance on ABCs Fantasy Island. The informant claims "the parents were told some crap story. It is also not known if O'Rourke has any siblings. The second one I only saw twice because I didn't think it was too great. O'Rourke had an elder sister named Tammy, who was also an actress. In 1984, the little actress had a minor role in the TV program Finder of Lost Loves. She failed her first audition when she laughed at a stuffed animal Spielberg presented her with. Spielberg continued to chat with Mrs. ORourke and Tammy briefly, with an occasional word to Heather, but after finding out more about Heathers age and lack of experience, he said that he was really looking for someone a bit older. Planned to attend college at UCLA and major in filmmaking. Heather agreed, and as promised, did not talk to him. To complete it, they used a stunt child double with an obvious and poorly-fitted wig. And I'd be able to work on scripts. O'rourke and her husband are blessed with two children. This website is dedicated to the life and memory of child actress Heather O'Rourke. She was an adorable young girl with white-blonde hair and a remarkable talent for both charming and frightening audiences. Spielberg was looking for a. It's fun. The next day at the commissary, Spielberg told her and her family, "I don't know what it is about her, but she's got the job." 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. If she had lived, it is likely that she would have gone into directing films like she said she wanted to. 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. The little actress never refused an autograph. She also could hear that Heathers breathing had become shallow and labored and that she appeared to be trembling and growing weaker. Heather screamed until the windows rattled. 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 had an older sister, Tammy O'Rourke, also an actress. This website is dedicated to the life and memory of child actress Heather ORourke. She died during surgery in 1988 after being misdiagnosed with Crohn's disease. Seating in the commissary dining room was sometimes scarce so upon finding an unoccupied table, it was Heathers job to sit there and save it while Tammy and her mother would go and get their lunch. He had not yet found a suitable actress to play a key role in the movie though and as the project took shape, began running out of time. The local doctor in Big Bear said that it was winter, they lived in the mountains, it was, after all, cold and flu season, and Heathers symptoms seemed to be flu-like. In addition to her acting, Heather had also developed an intuitive sense of filmmaking and so it was no surprise when she expressed an interest in directing. Heather O'Rourke's Husband, Children/Kids O'Rourke is married to her lovely spouse, whose names are currently under review. MGM was persistent though, and eventually offered the writing and production of Poltergeist II to Steven Spielbergs co-writers from the first film. I don't think it would scare anyone. 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. 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