<Tr> <Th> Parent (s) </Th> <Td> Michael O'Rourke (father) Kathleen O'Rourke (mother) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Relatives </Th> <Td> Tammy O'Rourke (older sister) James A. "Jim" Peele (stepfather) Charlie Walker (brother - in - law) </Td> </Tr> <P> Heather Michele O'Rourke (December 27, 1975--February 1, 1988) was an American child actress . She was discovered by director Steven Spielberg when she was visiting MGM's studios . Spielberg cast her as Carol Anne Freeling in the horror film Poltergeist (1982), where she had the movie's most recognizable line: "They're here!" She reprised the role in the second and third installments . </P> <P> O'Rourke also had a recurring role on Happy Days from 1982 to 1983, and she 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 early February 1988 . </P>

The girl who played carol anne in poltergeist