Remembering Catherine O’Hara: Friends and Celebs Pay Tribute
One of a kind
There are some people whose presence can light up a room when they walk in and, conversely, dim it when they walk out. Catherine O’Hara was one such radiant star in Hollywood’s constellation of joymakers. Following the tragic news of the beloved actress’s passing on Friday, it certainly felt as if cinema’s sparkle had dulled.
With tributes pouring in from close friends, co-stars, fans all around the world, and even politicians, it’s clear that O’Hara had left an indelible mark not only in film and TV but also in the lives of whoever she touched with her warmth, joy, and infectious energy.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, O’Hara made her acting debut in the 1970s at The Second City improvisational theatre and on the iconic Canadian comedy show SCTV. After making a name for herself in the Canadian comedy scene, O’Hara rose to critical and global acclaim after a series of unforgettable film performances.
From the incomparable Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek and the chaotically devoted Kate McCallister in Home Alone to the electric Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress captivated audiences with her comedic brilliance and larger-than-life personality.
More recently, O’Hara starred in the second season of The Last of Us alongside Pedro Pascal and Seth Rogen’s The Studio. Her performance in the latter, as movie executive Patty Leigh, earned her a nomination at the recent Golden Globes, and the actress remains nominated for the upcoming Actor Awards (formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards), taking place this March.
O’Hara passed away on Friday at the age of 71 in her Los Angeles home after battling a brief illness. She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons.
Ahead, read on for tributes from close friends, co-stars, and fans as they celebrate and honour O’Hara’s long-spanning career of over 50 years, her generosity, and her legacy of joy.
Eugene Levy
“Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honour of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years,” Levy shared in a statement to Rolling Stone.
“From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on Schitt’s Creek, I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.”
Macaulay Culkin
View this post on Instagram
Pedro Pascal
View this post on Instagram
Annie Murphy
View this post on Instagram
Seth Rogen
View this post on Instagram
Meryl Streep
“Catherine O’Hara brought love and light to our world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed… such a loss for her family and friends, and the audience she graced as friends,” said Streep, who acted alongside O’Hara in the 1986 comedy Heartburn.
Ben Stiller
Catherine O’Hara. My goodness. Hard to explain the impact she had on comedy. For me, no one better. She was generational. Since SCTV she has been brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant. Funniest ever. Man. We lost a great. A true great. Sending love to Bo Welch and her family. So sad we…
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) January 30, 2026
Jenna Ortega
View this post on Instagram
Michael Keaton
View this post on Instagram
Tim Burton
View this post on Instagram
Dan Levy
View this post on Instagram
Christina Ricci
View this post on Instagram
Michael Bublé
Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it.Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words.She wasn’t just a legendary artist,actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest… pic.twitter.com/06jGk7OyCP
— Michael Bublé (@MichaelBuble) January 30, 2026
Josh Gad
View this post on Instagram
Martin Short
@kristenpasc #fyp #catherineohara #stevemartin #martinshort ♬ original sound – Kristen
Brooke Shields
What an honor it was to be spoofed by Catherine O’Hara. What an unfathomable loss. We love you, Catherine. Comedy won’t be the same without her. Sending love to Catherine’s family, friends, castmates, and fans today. Truly beloved. pic.twitter.com/ucUYTj8zmm
— Brooke Shields (@BrookeShields) January 30, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
I join Canadians and fans across the world in mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara. Over 5 decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy — from SCTV to Schitt’s Creek. Canada has lost a legend. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 30, 2026
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
From SCTV to Home Alone to her unforgettable role as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, Catherine O’Hara was a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart. She made people laugh across generations and helped bring Canadian storytelling to the world in a way only she… pic.twitter.com/tO72Xy3yqp
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2026
For more breaking pop culture news, head here.
| SHARE THE STORY | |
| Explore More |
