The Hollywood Show: Constance Forslund Shares a Sweet Memory of Costar Heather O’Rourke
Probably best remembered for her roles as Carol Anne Freeling in Tobe Hooper‘s horror classic Poltergeist and its two sequels, as well as Heather Pfister in Happy Days, child actress Heather O’Rourke left an indelible mark on both the horror genre and television history before her life was tragically cut short by intestinal stenosis.
Remembered for her cherubic, sweet appearance and as a child actress of great talent, O’Rourke died on February 1, 1988, at just 12 years old, cementing her as a symbol of both Hollywood promise and heartbreaking loss.
During her short but storied career, O’Rourke guest-starred in Season 6 of CHiPs, Episode 22, titled “Fun House.” She played Lindsey, a young girl kidnapped by Hildy Hopkins (played by Constance Forslund), a grieving woman who lost her own child and is attempting to replace her with young Lindsey.
At the Hollywood Show on September 6, ReMIND caught up with actress Constance Forslund, best known for her roles in The Way We Were (1973), River’s Edge (1986), Marilyn: The Untold Story (1980), and for playing Ginger Grant in The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island (1981). While chatting with the actress, Forslund opened up about working with O’Rourke on the episode of CHiPs.
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“You know, she was very young,” said Forslund of her young costar, who was only seven years old at the time of filming. “So of course, she was making things with these little beads and safety pins, and she was putting them on tennis shoes. So I got a box of beads and safety pins to get to know her.”
“So we sat together in her trailer, and we made these things because I just wanted her to feel comfortable with me since I was going to kidnap her,” recalled Forslund. “And she was just a sweetheart. You know, just a beautiful, intelligent little girl.”
Forslund also talked about her time on the Island and stepping into the iconic role of Ginger Grant for the 1981 television movie.
“Well, it was a little intimidating, you know, of course, but once I got into the set, it was just heaven. [The cast] were so warm and welcoming to this program, the most fun I’ve ever had in a month on the soundstage at Universal. I mean, the original cast, the Harlem Globetrotters, Martin Landau (J.J. Pierson), Barbara Bain (Dr. Olga Schmetner), Scatman Crothers (Dewey Stevens), you know? What’s to complain about?,” laughed Forslund.
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