Joseph Maher

Joseph Maher was an Irish actor, playwright, and occasional theatre director. He was best known for his roles in the comedies of Joe Orton. He received three Tony Award nominations for his roles in the plays Spokesong, Night and Day, and Loot, with the last winning him a Drama Desk Award. His other accolades included an Obie Award and a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. He started his career with the Canadian Players and performed across Canada for three years before moving to New York. He appeared in several Broadway plays, such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, King Henry V, The Royal Family, and Night and Day. He also acted in many films, such as Heaven Can Wait, Time After Time, Frankenweenie, Sister Act, I.Q., In & Out, Mars Attacks!, and The Out-of-Towners. He also guest-starred in several TV shows, such as M*A*S*H, Wonder Woman, Moonlighting, Seinfeld, Tales from the Crypt, and Chicago Hope. He died of a brain tumor at his home in Los Angeles, California, on 17 July 1998, at age 64. He was buried at Aughaval Cemetery in his hometown of Westport, County Mayo.