The Hollywood film and TV world is reacting to the death of Catherine O’Hara, the 10-time Emmy-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning comedic actor.
O’Hara, who died Friday at age 71, has been on the TV scene since breaking out on the iconic Canadian sketch-comedy series SCTV, won her Emmys for writing on that show, and then as Best Actress in a Comedy for playing Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek.
More recently, O’Hara picked up Emmy noms for her work in a dramatic role in The Last of Us, and as ex-studio boss Patty Leigh on the multi-Emmy-winning The Studio.
See reactions from Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Andrea Martin, Christopher Guest, Pedro Pascal, Kevin Nealon, Tom Green, Justin Theroux, Lily Tomlin and many more below:
O’Hara was go-to actress for Christopher Guest in many of his improvisational, mockumentary films, including Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration. He released the statement below.
“I am devastated. We have lost one of the comic giants of our age. I send my love to her family.” – Christopher Guest
Only one Catherine O’Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) January 30, 2026
Seth Rogen and Ike Barinholtz worked with O’Hara on Apple TV’s The Studio. See their remembrances below.
SCTV alum Andrea Martin:
“Catherine. She is and will always be the greatest. It is an honor to have called her my friend.”
Leslie Kritzer played the O’Hara role of Delia Deetz in Broadway’s Beetlejuice.
Pedro Pascal and Catherine O’Hara co-starred on the second season of HBO’s The Last Of Us. He paid tribute to the late actress and shared an on-set photo of the two on Instagram below.
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
Catherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of Home Alone to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 30, 2026
I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime — from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other… pic.twitter.com/ZRHKYRjEDS
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) January 30, 2026
I’ve been working in Canada and as a way to wind down at night I’ve been watching my SCTV collection. Not only an amazing performer, Catherine O’Hara was one of the best comedy writers ever, and she should get way more recognition for that. Too many classic characters to list… https://t.co/BAKYep1Y2f
— Thomas Schnauz (@TomSchnauz) January 30, 2026
National Comedy Center executive director Journey Gunderson
“Catherine O’Hara was one of the rare performers who could disappear completely into a character and somehow make that character unforgettable. She shaped what comedy acting could be – blending precision, humanity and originality in a way that felt effortless but was anything but. Her work will continue to inspire generations of performers and audiences.”