little girl off poltergeist

QuestionsAnswered.net

What's Your Question?

10 Popular Baby Names for Girls

There are so many beautiful baby names, it can be difficult for you to choose the right one for your girl. If you prefer the latest baby names over very rare baby names, take a look at these ten. You may just find the perfect one for your baby.

If you’re inspired by the meaning of baby names, then consider Sophia. This name comes from the Greek word for “wisdom,” and is often also spelled Sofia. During the Middle Ages, it was more common among royalty. Today, you will find many Sophias at the playground.

Olivia is a literary name created by Shakespeare for the play, Twelfth Night . Many believe he took it directly from the Latin word “oliva,” which means olive tree. One famous Olivia is Olivia Newton-John.

Parents interested in popular Muslim baby names should check out Fatima, which means “to abstain” in Arabic. Fatima was the name of one of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughters. She was also the wife of Ali, the fourth caliph to rule the Muslim world.

Flower names are good options, and one of the most popular is Lily. Lily is derived from the Latin “lilium” and is often used as a symbol of purity. there are many variants of this name, including Liliana, Lillian and Lilia. Lily Tomlin is one famous person named Lily.

The classic Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew name “Elisheva,” which appears in the Old Testament and means “My God is an oath.” This name has been popular for centuries, and has many variants, such as Isabella, Elise, Isobel and Elsa. Queen Elizabeth II is one of several royal members with this name.

Emma is a beloved name for girls that means “whole” or “universal.” It’s derived from the short form of the German names that began with “ermen” and was first appeared in England with the arrival of Emma of Normandy. Some variants of Emma include Irma, Ima and Emmalyn.

The name Amelia is sometimes confused with Emilia, but is actually a variant of the Germanic name Amalia. It comes from the short form of names beginning with “amal,” and means “work.” One famous person with this name is Amelia Earhart.

Harper began as an Old English surname that was given to someone who either made harps or played the harp. You may know this name from the author Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird .

You may recognize Scarlett from the character Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind , but the name began as a surname. It was given to people who sold or made clothes out of the cloth made of scarlet. It’s also a shade of red.

The Greek name Chloe means “green shoot” and refers to the new plants that bloom in the spring. The goddess Demeter used this as her epithet. It’s also mentioned in the New Testament.

MORE FROM QUESTIONSANSWERED.NET

‘Poltergeist’ Star Heather O’Rourke Dies at Age of 12

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Heather O’Rourke, the terrified youngster sucked into a spectral vacuum by supernatural spirits in the “Poltergeist” films, has died on an operating table at a San Diego hospital, it was reported Tuesday.

The 12-year-old ingenue, who finished filming “Poltergeist III” last June in which she starred as the angelic Carol Ann Freeling for the third time, died late Monday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Children’s Hospital of San Diego identified the cause of death as intestinal stenosis--a severe bowel obstruction that the girl evidently had from birth. The obstruction caused an infection that, in turn, brought on septic shock. The shock prompted full cardiac and pulmonary arrest, the spokeswoman said.

Her agent, David Wardlowe, said she had been rushed to the hospital after complaining of abdominal pain.

Heather’s parents, who live in Big Bear but are also believed to have a home in San Diego, were too distraught to comment, Wardlowe said.

Ron Pennington, a spokesman for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., where the “Poltergeist” films were produced starting in 1981, said the studio “extends its sympathy to her parents and family.”

What proved to be her final film will be released this summer, he added.

Heather, who was also seen regularly on television’s “Happy Days,” “Webster” and “Still the Beaver,” brought two catch phrases into the language with the first two “Poltergeists.” The first was, “They’re heeeere!” which she said with eerie calm after coming into contact with strange forces while peering into an apparently blank TV screen. The second was, “They’re baaaack!” which was featured in the sequel.

The “Poltergeist” films, first released in 1982, told of a mid-America family living an idyllic life in the suburbs, whose young daughter begins communing with creatures she sees on her television screen, but only after regular programming ends and the screen has become a series of eerie dots.

Soon family pets begin to die and trees, blown by hurricane-force winds, come smashing into the home of the terrified Freeling family.

Carol Ann is sucked into a light source coming from a closet, and her helpless parents are left only with her screams.

Finally the family turns to a parapsychologist to exorcise the demons.

Heather came to films in a tradition that dates back to Lana Turner when that actress was supposedly (but wasn’t really) discovered at a drugstore counter.

Spielberg’s Discovery

Heather was 5 and sitting in the MGM commissary, said her former manager, Mike Meyer. Steven Spielberg, who co-wrote and produced the first of the “Poltergeist” series, saw her and asked if he could talk to her. He was told that she did not talk to strangers.

But she got permission, and that eventually led to her role in the film.

Heather is the second actress from the “Poltergeist” movies to die young. Dominique Dunne was strangled in October, 1982.

Miss Dunne, then 22, who played Heather’s older sister, had tried to break off her relationship with her boyfriend. Los Angeles chef John Sweeney was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced in November, 1983, to the maximum 6 1/2 years in prison.

Heather “always looked like ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and could memorize a 60-page script in about an hour,” Meyer said.

“Of all the things she was proud of,” he added, “(she was proudest of) being elected president of her fifth grade class at Big Bear Elementary School.”

It's a date

Get our L.A. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Review: No objections to Jamie Foxx in the entertaining courtroom drama ‘The Burial’

Entertainment & Arts

Guillermo del Toro talks the ‘Jabba the Hutt’ film that could have been and his forthcoming ‘Frankenstein’

Oct. 9, 2023

Spike Lee says ‘Oppenheimer’ was ‘great.’ But he wishes it showed the Japanese victims

Dwayne Johnson addresses backlash to his and Oprah’s Maui fund: ‘I get it and I completely understand’

In 1988, Heather O’Rourke starred in Poltergeist. Age 12, she died in mysterious circumstances.

As an angelic little blonde girl in 1982, Heather O’Rourke spoke one of the most famous horror movie lines ever: “They’re here.” 

The movie was the mega hit Poltergeist . Heather would go on to star as Carol Anne in the sequel, where she declared, “They’re back.” But in 1988, at the age of 12, before Poltergeist I II came out, Heather died in mysterious circumstances.

Watch the trailer for True Crime Conversations, Mamamia's true crime podcast. Post continues below.

Heather had a classic Hollywood story of being discovered. She was eating lunch with her mum Kathleen, while waiting for her older sister Tammy, who was a dancer in the movie Pennies From Heaven . Steven Spielberg, who was looking for a “beatific” four-year-old to star in his upcoming horror movie Poltergeist , spotted her. He asked her into his office, and tested her acting ability. 

“He wanted me to be afraid of this pink fish and this purple pig and all that,” Heather later explained . 

The next day, Heather was signed on to star in Poltergeist , scoring the role over Drew Barrymore. The movie is about a couple with three children who move into a house inhabited by spirits. The youngest child, Carol Anne, can hear the spirits through the TV set. She is sucked into a portal to another dimension, but later rescued. 

Oliver Robbins, who played Carol Anne’s brother Robbie, says he and Heather were like “brother and sister” on set. 

• Share via facebook
• Share via twitter
• Share via whatsapp
• SMS Share via SMS
• Share via e-mail

The Wrongful Conviction of Evaristo Salas

Laura Byrne And Matty J On Marriage And The Mental Load: Part Two

An Argy Bargy About Rich People

“She was precocious and a very intelligent girl for someone who was only five years old,” he told Daily Mail Online in 2015. 

Following the massive success of Poltergeist , Heather was offered other roles, guest-starring in classic '80s shows Webster and CHiPs and scoring an ongoing role in Happy Days as the daughter of Fonzie’s (Henry Winkler) girlfriend. Her manager, Mike Meyer, said she had the ability to memorise a 60-page script in an hour. Heather’s earnings meant that her family could move from a trailer park to a three-bedroom house in the woods in Big Bear, California. 

Poltergeist II came out in 1986. It was in 1987 that Heather started getting sick. After numerous trips to the doctor, she was told she had the parasite giardia, probably picked up from the well water at her house in the woods. She was treated for that, but later diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and put on cortisone. It gave her a “chipmunk cheeks” look that she was self-conscious about. 

That same year, Heather shot Poltergeist III . Director Gary Sherman tells the Shudder documentary series Cursed Films that he “absolutely adored” her.

Once Heather had finished shooting, the family went on a road trip to Disney World. Kathleen described it as “the vacation of a lifetime”. 

On February 1, 1988, Heather woke up feeling unwell but insisted she wanted to go to school. Her symptoms worsened. She couldn’t swallow, her fingers and toes started turning blue and her breathing became heavy and fast. She collapsed on the floor, and Kathleen called an ambulance. She was in septic shock. 

Kathleen told Heather, “I love you,” and Heather replied, “I love you, too.” 

Those were the last words she spoke. She suffered cardiac arrest in the ambulance. At the hospital, doctors resuscitated her, but she had suffered brain damage. They performed surgery and found she had a bowel obstruction caused by a birth defect, rather than Crohn’s disease. But it was too late to save her. She was pronounced dead that afternoon. 

Dr Daniel Hollander, head of gastroenterology at the University of California medical centre, told AP that Heather’s death was “distinctly unusual” because she hadn’t shown prior symptoms of the bowel defect. 

“I would have expected a lot of [digestive] difficulties throughout her life and not just to have developed all of a sudden,” he explained. 

Another gastroenterologist, Dr Hartley Cohen, also found Heather’s death unusual. 

“It just doesn’t seem to quite make sense,” he said. 

Heather’s funeral was held three days later. Her Poltergeist and Happy Days  co-stars attended. Reverend Dennis Estill told the mourners there were two things Heather had wanted in her life. 

“She wanted an Academy Award. She wanted a Rolls Royce.”

Listen to True Crime Conversations, Mamamia's true crime podcast. Post continues below.

Heather was buried in an open casket, wearing a chain that said “friend” around her neck. Kathleen wore the matching chain that said “best”.

“Heather gave me these for Christmas,” Kathleen told People . “She used to tell her friends that I was her best friend and not just her mum.”

Kathleen said after Heather’s death she had to force herself to get up and to eat. 

“I couldn’t cook in the kitchen anymore. Heather loved pies, cakes and cookies, and I used to make them for her. In the beginning I didn’t know if I was going to make it. I thought, ‘Why go on?’”

In May that year, Kathleen filed a wrongful death suit, claiming that Heather would still be alive if she had not been misdiagnosed.

Meanwhile, Sherman had been planning to re-shoot the ending of Poltergeist III . But without Heather, he felt her couldn’t – and he didn’t want to, anyway. 

“I can’t go back into the cutting room or watch this film with this dead 11-year-old in it,” he remembers thinking. 

But he tells Cursed Films that he had to. 

“Afterwards, the board at MGM just said to us, ‘You’re going to finish the film. We’ve got a lot of money invested in the film.’”

He had to come up with an ending that didn’t involve Heather.  

“So we came up with the idea for the stupid ending that’s on the film now and used a double for Heather. That was the creepiest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life.”

The rumours that the  Poltergeist  films were cursed had started long before Heather’s death. Dominique Dunne, the 22-year-old actress who played Carol Anne’s older sister Dana, was strangled by her ex-boyfriend in her driveway just months after Poltergeist  was released. She never regained consciousness and died five days later. 

Two stars of Poltergeist II passed away not long after they finished shooting. Julian Beck, who played Kane, died of cancer before the film was released, while Will Sampson, who played Taylor, died of post-operative kidney failure the following year.

When Heather died, the rumours went into overdrive. Someone came up with the theory that the curse was caused by real skeletons having been used in the making of Poltergeist , and that theory took off.  

Craig Reardon, the makeup special effects artist for Poltergeist , tells Cursed Films that this is “conceptually ridiculous” and “personally offensive”. He says human skeletons have been used in movies for years. 

“The idea of having a few of them on the set of Poltergeist and killing two lovely young girls is a pretty pernicious idea,” he says. “It’s an insult to the memory of a very sweet little girl, Heather O’Rourke, and it’s worse that than to Dominique Dunne, who was strangled to death by her [ex-] boyfriend, which had f—k-all to do with a skeleton.”

Feature image: Getty.

Zelda Rubinstein (1933-2010)

IMDbPro Starmeter Top 5,000 614

• 2 wins & 3 nominations

• Dr. Katarina Kuntzler

• Tangina Barrons

• Mrs. Collinwood

• Zelda, God's Assistant

• Mrs. Stanfield
• Agnes Sampson

• Medical Examiner

• Psychiatrist (voice, as Zelda Rubenstein)

• Pawn Shop Lady

• Patty's Mother (voice)

Personal details

• Zelda Rubenstein
• 4′ 3″ (1.30 m)
• May 28 , 1933
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
• January 27 , 2010
• Los Angeles, California, USA (complications from a heart attack)
• Parents George Rubinstein
• Other works She is the voice of the Skittles commercial "Taste the Rainbow!".
• 1 Interview

Did you know

• Trivia During the filming of Poltergeist III (1988) , she was doing a photo shoot when she paused and lurched. Director Gary Sherman was present and asked her what was wrong, she responded with a comment like "I don't know, was just a jolt. I'm fine." Several minutes later Sherman was pulled aside and told they would have to let Rubenstein go from the film - her mother had just died. After developing the film from the photo shoot, it was discovered that every photo had come out fine, except one, which had an inexplicable cloud of light clouding into the photo from Rubenstein's left, covering half of her with a semi-transparent haze. Rubenstein said she knew the jolt had to have been her mother's passing - she said they always had a particularly strong bond, in a way some identical twins have. Sherman, who had witnessed it, agrees it could not have been anything else. Both Rubenstein and Sherman were already very well aware of the tragic events which had plagued the film series.
• Quotes [on her decision to become an actress] I had to do something creative. It was an internal feeling that I was sabotaging myself.
• Trademark High pitched raspy voice
• When did Zelda Rubinstein die?
• How did Zelda Rubinstein die?
• How old was Zelda Rubinstein when she died?

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Add demo reel with IMDbPro

How much have you seen?

Recently viewed.

National Today

• Arts & Entertainment
• Food & Beverage
• Relationships
• Special Interest
• Create a Holiday

Gift Guides

• Heather O’Rourke Birthday

Heather O'Rourke

December 27, 2023.

• Career Timeline
• Why We Love
• Surprising Facts

Heather Michele O’Rourke was an American child actress born on December 27, 1975. In 1982, she gained notoriety for her role as Carol Anne Freeling in the haunting horror film “Poltergeist,” for which she got nominated for a Young Artist Award in the category of ‘Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.’ Her television appearances included Heather Pfister in the A.B.C. sitcom “Happy Days,” Melanie in “Webster,” Jillian Marsh in the drama series “Finder of Lost Loves,” and Heather in “The New Leave It to Beaver.”

Heather Michele O'Rourke

Bernie, Heath

Birth date:

December 27, 1975

Death date:

February 1, 1988 (age 12)

Zodiac Sign:

Relationship Status:

$500 thousand

Heather Michele O’Rourke was born in San Diego, California, on December 27, 1975, to Kathleen and Michael O’Rourke. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a seamstress. Tammy O’Rourke, her older sister, is also an actress. Her parents split in 1981, and O’Rourke’s mother married part-time truck driver Jim Peele in 1984 while living in a trailer park in Anaheim, California. Her accomplishment enabled the family to buy a house in Big Bear Lake, California.

O’Rourke was exposed to American cinematic pop culture before she was in the first grade. She was waiting for her mother alone in the M.G.M. Commissary when a stranger approached her and asked her name. The guy identified himself as Steven Spielberg when her mother returned. O’Rouke became an overnight celebrity after landing a movie position and was effortlessly recognized at her favorite theme park, Disneyland, and around California. O’Rourke became a familiar face on television in the years that followed, such as “Happy Days” (1982 to 1983), “Webster” (1983 to 1984), and “The New Leave It to Beaver” (1986 to 1987). In those three shows, she had recurring roles. “Poltergeist II: The Other Side,” the widely awaited sequel to her first picture, “Poltergeist” (1982), was released in theaters in 1986, and it was her captivating performance in this film that secured her place in Hollywood history.

O’Rourke developed flu-like symptoms in January 1987, with swelling in her legs and feet. She got rushed to Kaiser Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had the flu. Still, when her symptoms persisted, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic bowel inflammation. Throughout the filming of her next project, “Poltergeist III” (1988), she was on medicine, and her cheeks were puffy in several shots. O’Rourke remained healthy until Super Bowl Sunday, January 31, 1988. Her mother noticed her fingers were blue and her hands cold the following morning. Her mother had just finished calling the doctor and was about to put her clothes on when O’Rourke passed out on the kitchen floor. O’Rourke insisted she was fine when the paramedics arrived. O’Rourke experienced cardiac arrest in the ambulance and died on the operating table at 2:43 p.m., at age 12.

Career timeline

O’Rourke makes her debut in season four, episode 11 of “Fantasy Island.”

In “Poltergeist,” O’Rourke plays Carol Anne Freeling, a young suburban girl who becomes a conduit and target for demonic beings.

O’Rourke appears in “CHiPs,” “Webster,” and gets a recurring role on “Happy Days” as Pfister.

O’Rourke gets nominated for ‘Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture’ for her role in “Poltergeist II: The Other Side.”

O’Rourke dies due to congenital stenosis of the intestine complicated by septic shock at the age of 12.

Why We Love Heather O'Rourke

She didn't let her illness affect her.

O’Rourke developed flu-like symptoms while filming “Poltergeist III” (1988). Despite her illness, she never complained on set and did not appear sick to her coworkers.

She got nominated for numerous awards

In 1985, O'Rourke was awarded a Young Artist Award for her role in the television series "Webster." She got nominated for six Young Artist Awards during her career. The nomination ranges from ‘Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series,’ ‘Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture,’ ‘Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Television Series,’ ‘Best Young Actress in a Television Special or Mini-Series,’ and ‘Best Young Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.’

She was multi-talented

O’Rourke was skilled in drawing, calligraphy, singing, and dancing. She was the student-body president in her elementary school as well.

5 Surprising Facts

A star since a young age.

O’Rourke began acting in commercials at three, most notably for Mattel and McDonald's, before landing the role in "Poltergeist" (1982).

Her famous line

PopSugar's list of 100 Greatest Movie Quotes for 2021 includes O'Rourke's delivery of "They're here!" in “Poltergeist.”

She loved shopping

O’Rourke’s mother claims that shopping with her daughter was a tremendous effort because the child had to match everything, from her shoes to her jewelry.

She was born with natural talent

O’Rourke had never taken any acting classes.

She was an avid reader

O'Rourke's seventh-grade English teacher honors her love of reading by having all her pupils participate in Heather O'Rourke Love of Reading Week.

Heather O'Rourke FAQ s

Where is heather o'rourke buried.

O’Rourke was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary, located in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles.

Did Heather finish “Poltergeist III?”

Yes, she finished the film but never saw the final product.

What is Crohn's disease, and what does it do to you?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (I.B.D.). It causes swelling of the tissues in your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.

Heather O'Rourke’s birthday dates

Other movie actress birthdays.

Lucy Liu Birthday

The talented actress has taken Hollywood by storm and is clearly on top.

Judi Dench Birthday

She has made her mark on the industry with her iconic performances.

Zoë Kravitz Birthday

Kravitz has managed to follow in her parent's footsteps by becoming a musician and an actress.

Michelle Williams Birthday

Michelle Williams is a Hollywood actress, winner of two Golden Globes and one Emmy Award.

Milla Jovovich Birthday

There is no film project that’s too ambitious for this incredibly talented, versatile, and iconic actress.

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday! Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.

• 6,422 Days celebrated
• 19,266 Ways to celebrate
• 1,000,000+ Happy users
• Our Mission
• For Businesses
• For Journalists
• For Influencers
• Submit a Holiday
• Promote an Event
• Work With Us
• Submit an Error

Our Services

• Create A Holiday
• Sponsor A Holiday
• Data Licensing
• National Today Calendar
• Reviews and Gift Guides

Shopping Reviews

• Health & Fitness
• Home & Garden
• By Interest
• By Occasion
• By Recipient

Popular Holidays

• National Girlfriend Day
• Day of the Dead
• National Boyfriend Day
• National Sons Day
• Mexican Independence Day
• Pride Month
• National Best Friends Day
• National Daughter Day
• World Bicycle Day
• National Dog Day

About National Today

We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate.

Survey data is powered by Wisevoter and Scholaroo

Follow us on

Advertisement

Mysterious death of 80s childstar heather o'rourke and the 'hollywood curse' surrounding it.

Share this article

Child actress Heather O'Rourke died in 1988. Photo / Supplied

A 1980s classic became known as Hollywood's most "cursed" film following the untimely death of a 12-year-old actress.

Not only is Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist regarded as one of the most terrifying horror films of all time, it's also known as the most "cursed" film in Hollywood.

Shrouded in superstition following a handful of mysterious cast deaths, the 1982 film's grim history has followed it through decades – even casting fear over the critically reviled 2015 remake.

The "Poltergeist curse", as it's become known, came about after four of the cast members died of mysterious circumstances – the most shocking being that of Heather O'Rourke – the cherubic 12-year-old childstar who played protagonist Carol Anne in all three Poltergeist films, as well as Heather Pfister in Happy Days.

THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY

Set in a house built on an ancient Native American burial ground, the original Poltergeist trilogy told the terrifying story of the Freeling family and their encounters with the supernatural.

Gifted with a connection to the spiritual world, the youngest daughter, Carol Anne (O'Rourke), was haunted by the malicious spirits buried beneath her home, including that of a sadistic doomsday cult leader named Kane.

It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on June 4, 1982 and was a commercial success, grossing $1.13 million in the United States, making it the highest-grossing horror film of 1982 and eighth overall for the year.

The film's special effects – inventive for its era – makes it frequently ranked among the greatest horror films of all time.

BEGINNINGS OF "THE CURSE"

Many believe the "Poltergeist Curse" began the same year the first movie was released.

Actress Dominique Young, who made her film debut in Poltergeist as the elder sister of Carol Anne, died a violent death shortly after its release in 1983.

She was strangled to death by her boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney.

According to a New York Times article, Young was put on life support after the attack but passed away five days later.

Sweeney was later found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, according to a 1983 article from The Freelance Star.

JULIAN BECK

It was the actor who played Carol Anne's most intimidating spirit, doomsday cult leader Kane, who died next.

Julian Beck, who played Kane in Poltergeist II sadly did not live to see the release of the sequel.

He was 60 when he lost a battle with stomach cancer on September 14, 1985, according to The New York Times.

WILL SAMPSON

The third in the spooky string of deaths associated with the film was of the man who portrayed a friendly ghost named Taylor in the second Polergeist film, Will Sampson.

Sampson died on June 3, 1987, aged 53, after of an illness caused by a chronic degenerative condition, according to The Herald Journal.

HEATHER O'ROURKE'S DEATH

It was the unexpected nature of Heather O'Rourke's death which led many to believe the "Poltergeist Curse" was real.

Known for adorable, blue-eyed angelic looks and her creepy delivery of the line; "They're here" in the first film of the series, it was largely O'Rourke's chilling performance that made the film iconic.

At 12 years old, she passed away suddenly.

The actress died in surgery when doctors were attempting to repair an acute bowel obstruction, caused by what was believed to be a long battle with Crohn's disease, the LA Times reported.

The young address was tragically pronounced dead after suffering septic shock, on February 1, 1988.

HOW THE "CURSE" AFFECTED THE 2015 REMAKE

When Poltergeist was rebooted in 2015, superstitious film buffs were quick to unearth rumours of the "curse" surrounding the film.

Starring Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt, the movie may have been widely panned, but no cast members died.

In a Reddit AMA, however, director Gil Kenan recalled "paranormal activity" during filming.

"Lights that could turn on anywhere else in the neighbourhood would blow out the second you'd try to light them on (the set)," Kenan wrote.

"Also, I used a lot of aerial drone photography in the film, and the drone pilots were never able to lock in the GPS signal in this field. We would have to move 10 feet away to launch the craft."

MORE SECTIONS

• Dear Deidre
• Visual Stories

MORE FROM THE SUN

• Newsletters
• Deliver my newspaper
• Sun Vouchers
• The Sun Digital Newspaper

Hollywood’s ‘Poltergeist’ curse after four film stars died mysteriously including 80s child star Heather O’Rourke

• Bella Fowler from news.com.au
• Published : 11:44, 23 Nov 2019
• Updated : 12:00, 24 Nov 2019
• Published : Invalid Date,

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".

Poltergeist is regarded as one of the most terrifying horror films of all time, it’s also known as the most “cursed” film in Hollywood.

The 1982 film’s grim history has followed it through decades is shrouded in superstition following a handful of mysterious cast deaths.

It even casting fear over the critically reviled 2015 remake.

The “Poltergeist curse”, as it’s become known, came about after four of the cast members died of mysterious circumstances – the most shocking being that of Heather O’Rourke.

Heather, who was 12 when the film was made, played protagonist Carol Anne in all three Poltergeist films.

Her chilling appearance and terrifying deliver of the line “They’re here” in the first film of the series, is what helped make the film successful

At 12 years old, she passed away suddenly.

The actress died in surgery when doctors were attempting to repair an acute bowel obstruction, caused by what was believed to be a long battle with Crohn’s disease, the  LA Times reported.

The young actress was tragically pronounced dead after suffering septic shock, on February 1, 1988.

Many believe the curse began the same year the first movie was released.

HOLLYWOOD MYSTERY

Dominique Dunne, who made her film debut in Poltergeist as the elder sister of Carol Anne, died a violent death shortly after its release in 1983.

She was strangled to death by her boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney.

According to a  New York Times  article, Dunne was put on life support after the attack but passed away five days later.

Sweeney was later found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, according to a 1983 article from  The Freelance Star.

The next actor to die was Julian Beck.

He played Carol Anne’s most intimidating spirit, doomsday cult leader Kane in Poltergeist II sadly did not live to see the release of the sequel.

He was 60 when he lost a battle with stomach cancer on September 14, 1985, according to  The New York Times.

The third mysterious death Will Sampson.

He portrayed a friendly ghost named Taylor in the second Polergeist film.

MOST READ IN WORLD NEWS

Hamas slaughters 40 babies & kids in one town with some beheaded, Israel says

Shock moment bloodied man falls head-first into 9/11 reflection pool memorial

Tattooist Shani Louk's boyfriend also feared kidnapped by Hamas terrorists

Two Brits, 36, arrested for ‘raping UK holidaymaker they met for threesome'

Sampson died on June 3, 1987, aged 53, after of an illness caused by a chronic degenerative condition, according to  The Herald Journal.

When Poltergeist was rebooted in 2015, superstitious film buffs were quick to unearth rumours of the “curse” surrounding the film.

Starring Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt, the movie may have been widely panned, but no cast members died.

• A version of this story appeared on news.com.au

What is Poltergeist about?

Set in a house built on an ancient Native American burial ground, the original  Poltergeist  trilogy told the terrifying story of the Freeling family and their encounters with the supernatural.

Gifted with a connection to the spiritual world, the youngest daughter, Carol Anne (Heather), was haunted by the malicious spirits buried beneath her home, including that of a sadistic doomsday cult leader named Kane.

It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on June 4, 1982 and was a commercial success, grossing $1.13 million in the United States, making it the highest-grossing horror film of 1982 and eighth overall for the year.

The film’s special effects – inventive for its era – makes it frequently ranked among the greatest horror films of all time.

Heather O'Rourke

• Edit source
• View history

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. Heather was well known for her role as Carol Anne Fleming in the blockbuster 1982 Steven Spielberg film series Poltergeist .

• 1.1 Early life
• 3.1 Lawsuit
• 3.2 Lasting ramifications
• 4 Filmography
• 5 External links

Life and career [ ]

A child actress, Heather was discovered at the age of five by director Steven Spielberg while eating lunch with her mother at the MGM commissary. Spielberg cast her as Carol Anne Freeling in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist . She would go on to reprise the role in the second and third installments.

In addition to her roles in the Poltergeist series , O'Rourke also had her recurring role as Heather Pfister on Happy Days from 1982 to 1983, and made several television guest appearances. She died at the age of 12 of cardiac arrest and septic shock caused by a misdiagnosed intestinal stenosis in February 1988.

Early life [ ]

O'Rourke was born in San Diego, California to Kathleen and Michael O'Rourke. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father was a construction worker. She had an older sister, Tammy. Kathleen and Michael divorced in 1981, and O'Rourke's mother married truck driver James A. "Jim" Peele in 1984. After her parents' divorce, O'Rourke rarely saw her birth father and called her stepfather "Dad".

Before Heather had begun acting, the family lived in a trailer park in Anaheim. Her success later allowed the family to purchase a home in Big Bear Lake, California. In between acting jobs, O'Rourke attended Big Bear Elementary School where she was president of her class. At the time of her death, the family was living in Lakeside, California.

In a contemporary interview with American Premiere magazine, director Steven Spielberg explained that he was looking for a "'beatific' four-year-old child...every mother's dream" for the lead in his 1982 horror film Poltergeist . While eating in the MGM commissary, Spielberg saw five-year-old Heather O'Rourke having lunch with her mother while older sister Tammy was shooting Pennies from Heaven. After his lunch, Spielberg approached the family and offered O'Rourke the Poltergeist role; she was signed the next day, beating Drew Barrymore who was up for the role.

In the Poltergeist trilogy, O'Rourke played Carol Anne Freeling, a young suburban girl who becomes the conduit and target for supernatural entities. The New York Times noted that she had played the key role in the films and commented, "With her wide eyes, long blonde hair and soft voice, she was so striking that the sequel played off her presence." During the production of the original Poltergeist , Spielberg twice accommodated the child actress when frightened. When scared by performing a particular stunt, Spielberg replaced O'Rourke with a stunt double wearing a blonde wig; and when disturbed by the portrayal of adult abuse toward the child characters, Spielberg did not require her to perform the take again. For her work in Poltergeist, O'Rourke earned between US$35,000–$100,000. O'Rourke played the role in all three films. O'Rourke and Zelda Rubinstein were the only original cast members to appear in the third film, Poltergeist III .

O'Rourke's delivery of the lines "They're here!" in the first film, and "They're baa-aack!" in the second (that film's tagline), placed her in the collective pop culture consciousness of the United States. "They're here!" is #69 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Movie Quotes.

After her work in 1982's Poltergeist, O'Rourke secured several television and TV movie roles. In April 1983 she starred as herself alongside Morey Amsterdam and well-known Walt Disney animated characters in the hour-long television special, Believe You Can ... and You Can! She also appeared in CHiPs, Webster, The New Leave It to Beaver, Our House, and had a recurring role on Happy Days as Heather Pfister. In the television movies Massarati and the Brain and 1985's Surviving: A Family in Crisis, she played Skye Henry and Sarah Brogan, respectively.

O'Rourke became ill in early 1987 and was misdiagnosed by doctors at Kaiser Permanente Hospital as having Crohn's disease. She was prescribed cortisone to treat the disease, which reportedly caused her cheeks to appear puffy and large. On January 31, 1988, O'Rourke suddenly became ill again, vomiting and unable to keep anything down. The next morning she collapsed while preparing to leave for the hospital and her stepfather called paramedics. O'Rourke suffered a cardiac arrest en route to the hospital, and after resuscitation she was airlifted by helicopter to Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, where she died later that day.

Speaking to reporters, O'Rourke's manager David Wardlow initially announced that it was believed she died of influenza. However, hospital spokesman Vincent Bond announced that O'Rourke died during surgery to repair an acute bowel obstruction (caused by congenital stenosis of the intestine) complicated by septic shock; this report was corroborated by the San Diego County coroner's office on February 3, two days after her death. Later reports changed the specific cause of death to cardiac arrest caused by septic shock brought on by the intestinal stenosis.

O'Rourke was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery on February 5, 1988. Her tomb is a scheduled stop for "Haunted Hollywood" tours.

Lawsuit [ ]

On May 25, 1988, Sanford M. Gage, the O'Rourke family attorney, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Diego. O'Rourke had been seen by doctors at Kaiser since birth, and the suit claimed that they failed to properly diagnose her long-standing small-bowel obstruction: had they not simply treated her for Crohn's disease with prescription drugs, she could have been cured by means of a simple operation; and this misdiagnosis caused O'Rourke's death. Kaiser Permanente spokeswoman Janice Seib responded: "We have reviewed the case extensively, and we believe that the diagnosis and the course of action taken by our physicians was entirely appropriate. It's a very complex case, complicated by a number of factors, and not given to any simple answers." The case went to arbitration and was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Lasting ramifications [ ]

O'Rourke's death complicated Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's marketing for her last work, Poltergeist III , out of fear of appearing to be exploiting her death. Tom Skerritt and Nancy Allen, O'Rourke's co-stars, were discouraged from giving interviews about the film to avoid questions about her death. O'Rourke died four months before the theatrical release of Poltergeist III, which was dedicated to her memory.

O'Rourke's death (as well as four others) has been attributed to a supposed curse on the Poltergeist films and those associated with them; this urban legend supposedly stems from a real human skeleton used as a prop in the first film. According to backstage personnel, the ghost of O'Rourke herself haunts Paramount Pictures' stage #19, where she filmed episodes of Happy Days.

On September 26, 2008, DirecTV began airing a national TV advertisement developed by Deutsch; directed by Erich Joiner and cinematographed by Daniel Mindel, the advert features O'Rourke's famous "They're here!" scene from Poltergeist blended with contemporary footage of her co-star, Craig T. Nelson, intended to mimic the film. After the advertisement drew criticism from bloggers and columnists for exploiting O'Rourke, DirecTV responded in a Q&A session with readers of The New York Times. Jon Gieselman, DirecTV's senior vice president for advertising and public relations, explained that O'Rourke's family "was involved in the spot from start to finish [and that] Heather’s mother not only approved, [...] she also commented that Heather’s inclusion was a wonderful tribute to her daughter."

Filmography [ ]

External links [ ].

• 1 Pinky Tuscadero
• 3 Leather Tuscadero