The entertainment world is in mourning following the death of acclaimed actress Catherine O'Hara at the age of 71. The Canadian-American star, celebrated for her iconic roles in Schitt's Creek, Home Alone, and the Beetlejuice films, passed away on Friday at her Los Angeles home after a brief illness, according to her agency CAA.
Schitt's Creek Family Leads Emotional Tributes
Dan Levy, co-creator and co-star of the beloved television comedy Schitt's Creek, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, describing O'Hara as "family before she ever played my family." Levy, who worked alongside his father Eugene Levy and O'Hara on the award-winning series, expressed profound grief at the loss.
"What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O'Hara's brilliance for all those years," Levy wrote. "Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It's hard to imagine a world without her in it."
Hollywood Icons Remember a Comedy Legend
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry. Meryl Streep, who starred with O'Hara in the 1986 film Heartburn, praised her "whipsmart compassion" for the eccentric characters she portrayed. Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in the Home Alone films, posted an emotional message on Instagram saying, "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more... I love you. I'll see you later."
Michael Keaton, her co-star in both Beetlejuice films, described O'Hara as "my real life, true friend" and said "This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her." Alec Baldwin called her "one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business" with a unique quality all her own.
A Career Spanning Decades and Genres
O'Hara's remarkable career spanned more than five decades, earning her an Emmy and Golden Globe for her role as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, along with numerous other nominations. Her recent work included reprising her role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024 and starring in the second season of The Last of Us alongside Pedro Pascal.
Seth Rogen, who worked with O'Hara on Apple TV+'s The Studio, shared that Home Alone was "the movie that made me want to make movies" and called getting to work with her "a true honour." He described her as "hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous" and said the news was "devastating."
Canadian Pride and Comic Legacy
The loss resonated particularly strongly in O'Hara's native Canada, where she was celebrated as a national treasure. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called her a "beloved Canadian icon," while current premier Mark Carney stated that "Canada has lost a legend" who had "earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy."
Comedian Mike Myers described her death as "a very sad day for comedy and for Canada," calling O'Hara "one of the greatest comedy artists in history." Actor and director Christopher Guest, who collaborated with her on four films including Best in Show, said simply: "We have lost one of the comic giants of our age."
Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. Her family has announced they will hold a private celebration of her life, respecting her legacy as one of comedy's most distinctive and beloved voices.
