Trivia

Is buried in the same cemetery as her Poltergeist (1982) co-star, Dominique Dunne.

Her last words were "I love you" to her mother.

She grew very close to director Gary Sherman while filming Poltergeist III (1988), and was very proud of the fact that she performed all her own stuntwork for this movie.

Astonished Steven Spielberg in his office during her initial interview with her ability to read the Poltergeist (1982) script aloud.

Heather's Poltergeist III (1988) co-star Tom Skerritt was one of her pallbearers at her funeral.

During all the horrors that proceeded while filming Poltergeist (1982), only one scene really scared her: that in which she had to hold onto the headboard, while a wind machine blew toys into the closet behind her. She fell apart; Steven Spielberg stopped everything, put her in his arms, and said that she would not have to do that scene again (Cinefantasque, July 1988).

As a gift from the crew, she got to keep the goldfish from Poltergeist (1982).

Her favorite movie of all time was Disney's Dumbo (1941), and her favorite movie she appeared in was the original Poltergeist (1982).

Her line, "They're here", ranked #69 on the 'AFI'S TOP 100 Movie Quotes' special which aired on CBS. She also holds the distinction of being the youngest (age 5 at the time) actor/actress to utter the line that made the list.

Never refused an autograph.

Fellow cast members described Heather as having a calming influence on the set. They also described cast meetings with her: everyone would be quickly leafing through the script, while Heather was sitting calmly. Being able to memorize 60 pages of script an hour, she would have already memorized the entire script.

Her mother claimed a wrong diagnosis was responsible for her (Heather's) death.

Was an avid reader; her former 7th Grade English teacher honors this passion of hers by making all her students observe what she calls "Heather O'Rourke Love of Reading Week"; the last book she was reading was "Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl".

Some of her lesser known creative talents were calligraphy, drawing, baking, singing, and dancing.

Rests in a mausoleum next to Truman Capote and Mel Tormé.

Performed from age 3 in numerous commercials before her Poltergeist (1982) role, most notably for Mattel and McDonalds. She started modeling in 1979 for Mattel "Tuff Stuff" Number Blocks.

Never took acting classes.

During the filming of Poltergeist III (1988), she suffered flu-like symptoms. The symptoms were a result of congenital intestinal stenosis (blockage), which ultimately claimed her life.

Appeared on the doll box for Mattel's "My First Barbie" in 1980.

Planned to attend college at UCLA and major in filmmaking.

She had a huge crush on River Phoenix, with whom she appeared in the 1985 TV movie Surviving (1985).

President of her class in the 5th Grade.

She had been getting tired of doing sequels to Poltergeist (1982) as she didn't want to be typecast. Said that if a Poltergeist IV would to happen it would have been her last film in the series.

Her favorite TV shows were Vivre à trois (1976) and The Benny Hill Show (1969).

Heather's middle school put up a tree in her memory after she passed away, however, this was later removed due to renovations, the school does still have "Heather O'Rourke Love of Reading Week".

Was given the clapperboard from her final movie Poltergeist III.

In real life, she loved to go shopping. But according to her mother Kathy, shopping with Heather was a tremendous effort. The girl had to have everything match, from shoes to earrings. She also loved to make and eat sweets, and was the student-body president at her school. For a pet, she had a St. Bernard. Her home life did not, ironically, include the viewing of certain films...particularly not horror films.

Ranked #65 on VH1's '100 Greatest Kid Actors' special.

Upon further examination of her actual report cards over the years, she made C's and D's in her least liked subjects in school, math and science, but at the end of her life was a straight A student.

If she wasn't acting, she would have liked to have been a nurse.

She had a twin brother who died during pregnancy. Her mother, Kathleen, did not know she was pregnant with twins when she had the miscarriage. After the miscarriage she was still feeling life inside of her. That is when she found out she was pregnant with Heather.

Tried out for the role of Vicki on Small Wonder (1985).

Loved: roses, swimming, pepperoni pizza, computer games, and more.

Could read at age 5.

At the time of her death, Heather was a 7th grade student at Tierra del Sol Middle School in Lakeside. She would have graduated in 1989.

Acted in her middle school Library/Literature Club's production of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" in her nightgown with her favorite teddy bear in December of 1987.

She had Irish, English, German, and Danish ancestry.

Considered Steven Spielberg a "really great director" and a "wonderful guy".

Was featured on The Great Mouse Ride in Disney World.

Her favorite books to read were Nancy Drew books. She also liked The Boxcar Children series.

Her favorite school subjects were Art and English. She also liked Social Studies.

Loved Sylvester Stallone.

Considered Bette Davis one of her favorite actresses and celebrities.

Loved to play video games, Carmen Sandiego being her favorite.

Was in a school play two months before her final breath.

Her favorite board games were Scrabble and Uno.

In her 7th grade Social Studies class, she loved learning about Native Americans and their culture.

Appeared on and briefly worked for the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1966). She also donated to the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) through the telethon during an appearance on "Puttin' on the Kids", a kids version of the show Puttin' on the Hits (1984).

If she had lived, it is likely that she would have gone into directing films like she said she wanted to.

Heather was very kindhearted, humble, and generous.