The entertainment world is grieving the passing of Catherine O’Hara, who died at the age of 71 on January 30, 2026.
O’Hara gained fame for her performances in movies such as Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Waiting for Guffman, and Second City Television. She also took on more recent roles in films like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Last of Us, and The Studio.
Perhaps her most memorable role was in the beloved sitcom Schitt’s Creek, where she portrayed the iconic Moira Rose.
The show aired for six seasons from 2015 to 2020 and holds a remarkable 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both audiences and critics.
Originally broadcast on CBC Television, Schitt’s Creek was later available on Hulu and Netflix in the US and UK.
Following her tragic passing, her Schitt’s Creek colleagues have been swift in paying tribute to the esteemed actress, with Eugene Levy, her on-screen husband Johnny Rose and long-time friend, leading the tributes.
In a heartfelt statement shared with US Weekly, the American Pie star expressed: “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years.
“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.”
Their collaborations included Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration.
Levy concluded his tribute by expressing how much he would miss O’Hara and sent condolences to her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke.
Emily Hampshire, who played Stevie Budd in Schitt’s Creek, shared a poignant message on Instagram, expressing disbelief at O’Hara’s passing.
“There was no one more alive than Catherine. She filled every moment with more life than most of us expend in days,” she lamented.
“I was fortunate to work with her at the start of my career. She was as kind and generous then as she remained throughout our six years on Schitt’s. That’s simply who she was with everyone.”
“Her kindness and generosity were so inherent that they naturally infused her characters. That’s why despite Moira’s self-centeredness, there’s an underlying humanity that makes her lovable.”
Hampshire emphasized that she would ‘cherish’ each moment shared with O’Hara.
Annie Murphy, who portrayed her on-screen daughter, recalled O’Hara’s infectious laughter on Instagram.
“Her laughter was contagious, inviting everyone to join in her delight,” she reminisced. “We were truly fortunate to have her.”
Murphy also hinted at viewing O’Hara as a mentor and shared a screenshot of notes she had taken from her co-star.
Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt’s Creek alongside his father and fellow actor as David Rose, referred to O’Hara as ‘extended family’.
“What a gift to have experienced the brilliance of Catherine O’Hara for all those years,” his heartfelt post read.
Reflecting on her long-standing collaboration with his father, Levy added: “Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family long before she played my family.”
“It’s difficult to envision a world without her presence. I will treasure every humorous memory I was fortunate enough to share with her.”
Noah Reid, who played David Rose’s partner Patrick Brewer from season 3, also paid tribute to O’Hara.
Recalling his initial encounter with the actress, he wrote: “Meeting Catherine was surreal, like encountering a painting or a hologram or a saint.”
“Working with Catherine was enlightening, learning that collaboration could coexist with competition, and that she was willing to share her secret ways of knowing. There was always humor and magic in everything she did. Knowing Catherine was a gift I still find hard to believe I received.”
Reid described O’Hara as ‘the coolest, kindest, most genuine’, and an ‘electrical current of creativity’ unlike anything he had seen before or since.