The world of entertainment is in mourning as tributes flood in for the remarkable Catherine O’Hara, an actress celebrated for her incredible comedic talent. Among those paying their respects are notable figures from both the entertainment industry and politics, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Dan Levy, co-creator of the beloved show Schitt’s Creek. They mourn the loss of a true "legend" following O'Hara's passing at 71 years old.
O’Hara, who garnered prestigious awards such as an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her unforgettable performances on television, passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, as reported by her agency, CAA.
Beyond her television accomplishments, O’Hara was also widely recognized for her roles in iconic films like Home Alone and the Beetlejuice series. Dan Levy took to Instagram to express his heartfelt sentiments, stating that he would always treasure the joyous moments spent with her, highlighting the profound impact she had on his life. He fondly reflected, "What a gift it was to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years."
Levy elaborated on their relationship, mentioning that Catherine felt like family long before they collaborated on screen, given their extensive history working alongside Levy's father, Eugene Levy, who co-created Schitt’s Creek with him. He poignantly remarked, "It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it."
Richard E Grant, who acted alongside O’Hara in the 2006 film Penelope, described her death as an "incalculable loss." In his touching post on Instagram, he recalled the joyful times they shared together, stating, "She & her husband Bo were the first people we called when we were in LA, stayed with us in the Cotswolds, shared dinners in London & never stopped yakking & laughing."
In 2024, O'Hara reprised her beloved role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, having first brought the character to life in 1988. Her co-star Michael Keaton expressed his deep sorrow, saying, "We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her."
Alec Baldwin, who also featured in the original Beetlejuice, praised O’Hara as "one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business," noting her unique charm that set her apart in the industry.
Seth Rogen, who starred alongside her in the Apple TV comedy series The Studio—where O’Hara earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations—called the news of her passing "devastating." On Instagram, he reminisced about their time together, stating, "I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen. Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous … She made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it."
Mike Myers, another Canadian actor and comedian, regarded her passing as "a very sad day for comedy and for Canada," praising O’Hara as "one of the greatest comedy artists in history."
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honored her legacy by labeling her a "beloved Canadian icon," while current Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this sentiment, stating that Canada has "lost a legend." In his statement, Carney expressed solidarity with fellow Canadians in grief, adding, "Over five decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy."
Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. According to the family, a private celebration of her life will be held to honor her memory.
