The Tragic Death of 'Happy Days' and 'Poltergeist' Child Star Heather O'Rourke: 36 Sad Years Later

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It’s been thirty-six years since the tragic death of child star Heather O’Rourke, best known for her roles on TV’s Happy Days and the Poltergiest feature film franchise. The 12-year-old actress had finished shooting Poltergeist III in June of 1987 and had died the following February 1988 on the operating table at the Children’s Hospital of San Diego. This is her story.

A Closer Look

Heather Michele O’Rourke was born one of two children on December 27, 1975, in San Diego to Kathleen and Michael O’Rourke. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a carpenter. Her older sister Tammy O’Rourke was also an actress. Her parents divorced in 1981, and O’Rourke’s mother wed part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984, while they were living in a trailer park in Anaheim, CA. Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in Big Bear Lake, CA. When not acting, O’Rourke attended Big Bear Elementary School, where she was president of her fifth-grade class.

Her Most Famous Role

In Poltergeist, Heather O’Rourke was cast as Carol Anne Freeling, a young girl who becomes the conduit and target for supernatural entities.

In an interview with American Premiere magazine, producer Steven Spielberg explained how he initially sought a “beatific four-year-old child…every mother’s dream” for the lead in Poltergeist (1982). While eating in the MGM commissary, the famed director noticed O’Rourke, then just 5 years old, having lunch with her mother, while sister Tammy was filming Pennies from Heaven.

After finishing his meal, Spielberg approached the Roarke family and Heather the Poltergeist part. She won the role over Drew Barrymore, who instead was cast as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Then Came Happy Days and Other TV Gigs

Following her work in Poltergeist, Heather O’Rourke was cast in many TV roles. In April 1983, she starred as herself alongside Morey Amsterdam and well-known Walt Disney animated characters in the hour-long Believe You Can…and You Can! h

From there, she went on to appear in weekly shows such as CHiPs, Webster, The New Leave It to Beaver, and Our House, and had a recurring role on Happy Days as Heather Pfister.

The Pfister part was the daughter of a character played by Linda Purl, who portrayed a girlfriend to Henry Winkler’s iconic ‘Fonzie’ role.

Then Tragedy Struck

Heather O’Roarke died from intestinal stenosis — a severe bowel obstruction that she had since birth. The obstruction caused an infection that subsequently resulted in septic shock, which then led to full cardiac and pulmonary arrest on February 1, 1988, just a few weeks after her 12th birthday.

According to one physician, O’Roarke’s demise was unusual because she didn’t experience the regular symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, which was her original diagnosis.

In the End

In May of 1988, Kathleen O’Rourke filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kaiser Foundation Hospital of San Diego and Southern California Permanente Medical Group where she blamed her daughter’s physicians for the misdiagnosis.

Kathleen O’Rourke later concluded, “It was an intestinal blockage that had probably been present since birth … The X-rays taken, if properly read, would have disclosed that this was the kind of condition that should have been treated surgically.” Her attorney explained that the suit was to cover both emotional and economic loss. “We have reviewed the case extensively and we are convinced that the care we provided was appropriate,” said a spokesperson from the hospital where O’Rourke received treatment. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.

In 2024, a documentary about Heather O’Rourke was produced, titled, Heather O’Rourke: She Was Here, which features interviews with her Poltergeist co-stars Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams, in addition to her family members.