Stars pay tribute to Catherine O’Hara as film and TV world mourns comedy icon

Hollywood figures have led an outpouring of tributes following the death of Emmy-winning actor Catherine O’Hara. She has died aged 71. This group includes Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, and Ben Stiller.

The Canadian-born performer gained widespread acclaim for her work in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone. She was also celebrated for her roles in television comedy series including Schitt’s Creek and The Studio. Her agent said she died at her home in Los Angeles after a short illness.

Streep, who worked alongside O’Hara in the 1980s comedy Heartburn, said she brought “love and light to the world.” She achieved this through her compassionate and sharply observed portrayals of eccentric characters. Pascal, her co-star in The Last of Us, said he was “eternally grateful” to have shared the screen with her. He added that the world felt “dimmer” without her.

Stiller described her influence on comedy as impossible to measure, saying there was “no one better” at what she did. Actor Michael Keaton, who starred with her in Beetlejuice and its recent sequel, said they had been friends for decades.
“She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real-life friend,” he said.
“This one hurts. I’m going to miss her.”

Director Tim Burton shared an image of the cast of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. He wrote that O’Hara had brought light to everyone around her. Actor Alec Baldwin described her as possessing a quality entirely her own. He called her one of the great comic talents of the film industry.

Pascal added in a separate tribute that “this lucky world that had you will keep you, always”.

Her on-screen son in the Home Alone films, Macaulay Culkin, posted an emotional message on social media.
“Mama. I thought we had time,” he wrote.
“I wanted more. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara enjoyed a late-career resurgence thanks to her award-winning role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. The show’s co-creator Dan Levy said she had been family to him long before she played his mother on screen. He would treasure every moment they worked together.

His father, Eugene Levy, who portrayed her husband in the series, said words were not enough to express his loss. He spoke of a friendship that spanned more than 50 years, saying he would miss her deeply.

Actor Annie Murphy, who played their daughter Alexis, said O’Hara’s laugh drew everyone in. Those who worked with her had been incredibly lucky.

O’Hara won a Golden Globe for Schitt’s Creek in 2021. She recently earned another awards nomination for her portrayal of disgraced studio executive Patty Leigh in The Studio. She remains nominated at this year’s Actor Awards, due to take place in March.

Co-star Seth Rogen said Home Alone had inspired him to want to make films. Working with O’Hara was a true honour.
“She was the funniest person I’d ever seen on screen,” he said.

Director Christopher Guest worked with her on several mockumentaries. These include For Your Consideration. He called her one of the comic giants of her generation. His wife, Jamie Lee Curtis, shared a clip from Waiting for Guffman. She included a message praising O’Hara as the very best.

Fellow Canadian Mike Myers said her death was a sad day for both comedy and Canada. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau described her as a beloved national figure. Current leader Mark Carney said the country had lost a legend.

Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch. She married him in 1992. She is also survived by their sons, Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.