Catherine O’Hara’s 2023 speech about Macaulay Culkin
Legendary actress Catherine O’Hara, known for her roles in “Home Alone,” “Best in Show,” and “Schitt’s Creek,” has reportedly passed away. She was 71 years old.
Eugene Levy is mourning the death of his television wife and real-life friend of more than 50 years.
The 79-year-old actor paid tribute to his decades-long friendship with Catherine O’Hara, who passed away on January 30 after a “brief illness,” Variety and Deadline both reported, citing the CAA agency. The cause of the “Home Alone” star’s death has not been disclosed.
“Words don’t seem to be enough to express the sense of loss I feel today,” Levy told USA TODAY in a statement on Jan. 31. “I had the pleasure of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for more than 50 years.”
Levy, who co-created Schitt’s Creek with his son Dan Levy, starred opposite O’Hara in six seasons of the acclaimed comedy series, which aired on Canada’s CBC Television from 2015 to 2020. The two played former video rental empire CEO Johnny Rose and former actress Moira Rose.
Throughout its run, the show won nine Emmy Awards, including Best Comedy Series in 2020. The same year the series swept the Emmy Awards, O’Hara also won the Best Actress in a Comedy Series trophy, while her co-stars Annie Murphy, Dunn, and Eugene Levy also won individual performance trophies.
Before playing a married couple on the hit show, the two met at the Second City Comedy Club and went on to appear in a sketch series on Second City TV and in several Christopher Guest films, from Waiting for Guffman (1996) to A Mighty Wind (2003).
“From my beginnings on stage in The Second City, to SCTV, films with Chris Guest, and six glorious years on Schitt’s Creek, I have cherished our working relationships, but above all our friendships, and I will miss her dearly,” he added. “My heart goes out to Beau, Matthew, Luke and the entire O’Hara family.”
Dan Levy, other ‘Schitt’s Creek’ stars pay tribute
Dan Levy also paid tribute to his TV mom and real-life friend on Instagram.
“What a gift it has been to dance in the warm light of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for so many years,” he wrote in the caption of the post, sharing a selfie of the two of them. “Having worked with my father for over 50 years, Catherine was part of my extended family even before playing my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her. I will cherish all the funny memories I was lucky enough to make with her.”
O’Hara is remembered by co-star Karen Robinson, who played Ronnie Lee on Schitt’s Creek.
In an interview with USA TODAY, Robinson said, “I will forever treasure the immeasurable good fortune of sharing work and laughter with Catherine O’Hara’s genius.” “Oh, Canada, what a shame. Katherine, thank you for everything you gave us before you left us. So much, so timeless that a part of you will always remain with us.”
Chris Elliott, who played Roland Schitt, said the world was shocked and saddened by her passing.
“Working with her and Eugene was a dream come true for me, made even more special because Katherine was such a warm-hearted, generous and humble human being,” Elliott said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
Jennifer Robertson, who played Jocelyn Schitt, recalled O’Hara’s “magical gift.”
“I am so sad to hear of the loss of Catherine. Being in Catherine O’Hara’s orbit was a beautiful and magical gift,” Robertson said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Contributor: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
