For many fans, Catherine O’Hara felt permanent — one of those rare performers who seemed to exist outside time. On Friday, that illusion shattered.
The Canadian actress, known for her sharp wit and emotional range, has died at age 71. Her manager confirmed the news on Jan. 30, and those closest to her have described the loss as sudden and deeply shocking.
Almost immediately, tributes began to pour in from collaborators who had worked with her for decades — and from audiences who grew up with her characters.
A Career That Touched Many Lives
O’Hara’s work spanned generations and genres. She was equally at home in broad comedy and quiet emotional moments, whether she was panicking as a mother in Home Alone, delivering dry absurdity in Christopher Guest’s films, or lending her voice to animated classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas.
In recent years, she became newly iconic to a younger audience as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek — a role that showcased her fearless comedic instincts and surprising tenderness.
The series ran for six seasons from 2015 to 2020, following the once-wealthy Rose family as they rebuilt their lives in a small town. O’Hara’s Moira, with her theatrical flair and offbeat warmth, quickly became one of television’s most memorable characters.
Eugene Levy: “I Will Miss Her”
Few people knew O’Hara longer — or worked with her more closely — than Eugene Levy.
In a statement released Friday, Levy reflected on a professional and personal partnership that stretched back more than 50 years. Their shared history included early days at Second City, the influential sketch show SCTV, multiple films, and finally Schitt’s Creek.
He spoke not only about their creative bond, but about a friendship that endured across decades. His message was also directed to O’Hara’s family, offering condolences to those who knew her best.
“Extended Family Before She Played Our Family”
Dan Levy, who co-created Schitt’s Creek with his father and played O’Hara’s on-screen son, shared his own tribute on Instagram.
He described O’Hara as “extended family” long before the show existed, noting that her decades-long collaboration with Eugene Levy made her a constant presence in his life.
He wrote of gratitude for the years spent working alongside her and of the difficulty of imagining a world without her. His message echoed a sentiment shared by many who worked with O’Hara: she was not just admired, but deeply loved.
Sarah Levy, who also appeared on the series, added her voice, calling the loss painful and honoring O’Hara’s impact both personally and professionally.
Recognition That Matched the Work
O’Hara’s portrayal of Moira Rose earned her an Emmy Award in 2020, adding to an earlier win in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network. The honors reflected what peers and audiences had long recognized — her ability to elevate comedy with intelligence, precision, and heart.
The Schitt’s Creek cast last reunited publicly at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where Eugene and Dan Levy co-hosted the ceremony. At the time, there was still talk of possibly working together again someday, if the right story emerged.
Now, those conversations take on a different weight.
Why Her Loss Feels So Personal
Catherine O’Hara didn’t just play characters — she gave people something to hold onto. Her performances often arrived at moments when audiences needed laughter, familiarity, or comfort.
For many viewers, her work marked different chapters of life: childhood holiday movies, late-night comedies, and shows discovered during uncertain times.
That’s why her death feels more than symbolic. It feels intimate.
She leaves behind a body of work that continues to move freely across generations, reminding us that comedy, when done with care and fearlessness, can last a lifetime.
And sometimes, even longer.
