Catherine O’Hara, a Canadian American actor best known for her roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone and Beetlejuice, has died at age 71, according to a statement from her agency to The Associated Press.
Creative Artists Agency said O’Hara died “following a brief illness.” No further details were immediately released.
Catherine O’Hara in Saturday Night Live (1975) Catherine O’Hara in Saturday Night Live (1975)
Born in Toronto, O’Hara rose to prominence as a core cast member of the sketch comedy show Second City Television, where she collaborated frequently with actor Eugene Levy. She later reunited with Levy on Schitt’s Creek, the TV series produced by Toronto-based Not a Real Company Production, founded by Levy and his son Daniel.
Her performance as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek earned widespread acclaim and multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award.
O’Hara most recent work was in the Apple TV+ series, The Studio, starring Seth Rogen, which earned her an Emmy nomination. She was among those nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Awards earlier this month.
2015 Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy in Schitt’s Creek (2015)
O’Hara was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame for her contributions to film and television.
‘Such a loss’
Tributes poured in following news of her death.
Meryl Streep, who co-starred with O’Hara in Heartburn, said, “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.”
In a statement to CTV News, Mike Myers said that “it’s a very sad day for Comedy and Canada. She was one of the greatest comedy artists in history, an inspiration for millions and above all a very elegant lady. Sending much love and condolences to her family.”
Actor Macaulay Culkin, who appeared alongside O’Hara as her son in Home Alone and its sequel, said in a statement on social media that he loved her.
Home Alone Macaulay Culkin and Catherine O’Hara in Home Alone (1990)
“I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say,” he said.
Pedro Pascal shared a photo of him giving O’Hara a side hug, with a caption that praised her as “genius”.
“There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always,” it read.
The two worked together on the TV series The Last of Us.
TV and radio host Andy Cohen posted a throwback photo of O’Hara from her SCTV days.
With files from CTV News journalist Elianna Lev