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Heather O'Rourke 1975 - 1988

Heather Michelle O'Rourke was born on December 27, 1975 in San Diego, California United States to Kathleen O’Rourke and Michael O’Rourke, and had a sister Tammy Walker. Heather O'Rourke died at age 12 years old on February 1, 1988 at Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego 3020 Children's Way, in San Diego, and was buried on February 5, 1988 at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary 1218 Glendon Ave, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County.

Heather Michelle O'Rourke

December 27, 1975

San Diego, California, United States

February 1, 1988

Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego 3020 Children's Way, in San Diego, California, 92123, United States

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Heather O'Rourke Heather O'Rourke (1975 - 1988)

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Heather Michelle O'Rourke's History: 1975 - 1988

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Introduction

Heather Michelle O'Rourke was born to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke and she had a sister Tammy O'Rourke who was born four years before Heather. She is best remembered for being a popular young actress in the 1980s with numerous television shows and the Poltergeist films where she had the starring role as Carol Anne Freeling. See Heather O'Rourke's Acting Career for a list of Heather's acting credits. Born in San Diego in the final week of 1975, her mother Kathleen worked as a seamstress and her father Michael was a carpenter. Her parents divorced in 1981 and Heather lived with her mother Kathleen who remarried a part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984. At the time they were living in a trailer park in Anaheim. When Heather's career blossomed the family purchased a home in Big Bear Lake California. It's an interesting story how Heather was chosen for the role of Carol Anne in Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist films. Spielberg was having lunch at MGM's commissary and saw Heather eating with her mother while Heather's sister Tammy was shooting 'Pennies from Heaven'. Spielberg offered her the part after his lunch and the following day she was signed, beating Drew Barrymore who was also up for the role.
12/27

1975

Birthday

December 27, 1975

Birthdate

San Diego, California United States

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

O'Rourke is an Irish surname
Nationality & Locations

Born in San Diego, she lived in Anaheim before her actress career took off. The family purchased a home in Big Bear Lake and at the time of her death she was living in Lakeside California.
Early Life & Education

Between her acting roles she attended Big Bear Elementary School. She was president of her 5th grade class.
Professional Career

Heather began acting at a very early age. Her first television role was an episode of Fantasy Island called "Elizabeth's Baby / The Artist and the Lady" where she starred as five year old Liza Blake. She also had roles in numerous popular television shows during the 1980s including: CHiPs, Webster, Our House and Rocky Road. Of course she is best remembered for her starring roles in Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist movies. She played Carol Anne Freeling in Poltergeist (1982), Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986), and Poltergeist III (1988).
Personal Life & Family

As an actress she was nominated numerous times for various 'Young Actress' awards. She won the 1985 Young Artist Award as 'Best Young Actress, Guest in a Television Series' for her role in Webster.
02/1

1988

Death

February 1, 1988

Death date

Congenital stenosis of the intestine

Cause of death

Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego 3020 Children's Way, in San Diego, California 92123, United States
Death location

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02/5

1988

Gravesite & Burial

February 5, 1988

Funeral date
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary 1218 Glendon Ave, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California 90024, United States
Burial location
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5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Heather

Daniel Pinna

10.2k+ favorites

12/06/2020

Heather O'Rourke's Acting Career

Of course Heather is most famous for the Poltergeist trilogy, however she appeared in a number of films and television shows:

Movies:
1982 Poltergeist Carol Anne Freeling
1982 Massarati and the Brain Skye Henry Television film
1985 Surviving: A Family in Crisis Sarah Brogan Television film
1986 Poltergeist II: The Other Side Carol Anne Freeling
1986 Around the Bend The Daughter Television film
1988 Poltergeist III Carol Anne Freeling Posthumous release and Final film role

Television:
1981 Fantasy Island Liza Blake (age 5) Episode: "Elizabeth's Baby / The Artist and the Lady"
1982–1983 Happy Days Heather Pfister Recurring role, 12 episodes
1983 CHiPs Lindsey Episode: "Fun House"
1983 Matt Houston Sunny Kimball Episode: "The Woman in White"
1983 Webster Melanie 3 episodes
1984 Finder of Lost Loves Jillian Marsh Episode: "Yesterday's Child"
1986–1987 The New Leave It to Beaver Heather Episodes: "Material Girl", "Bad Poetry"
1987 Our House Dana Episode: "A Point of View"
1987 Rocky Road Russian Girl Episode: "Moscow on the Boardwalk"

Comments

Daniel Pinna

10.2k+ favorites

12/06/2020

Heather Michelle O'Rourke

Heather O'Rourke around the time she became famous for her roles in the 1980s movies Poltergeist.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Daniel Pinna

10.2k+ favorites

08/25/2021

Actress Heather O’Rourke

Child actress Heather O'Rourke who will live on forever in people's minds thanks to her role as Carol Anne Freeling in the Poltergeist series.

Date & Place: circa 1984

Comments

Daniel Pinna

10.2k+ favorites

12/06/2020

Heather Michelle O'Rourke

A very young Heather Michelle O'Rourke (maybe 2?).

Date & Place: 1977

Comments

Daniel Pinna

10.2k+ favorites

12/06/2020

I had to add a biography for you. I will update more as I'm able. Thank you for dedicating so much of your short life to entertaining all of us. Such a bright light.

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