The passing of Catherine O’Hara at the age of 71 on Friday has led to an emotional outpouring of tributes from co-stars, collaborators, and friends she worked with across decades.
Renowned for her extraordinary comic brilliance, O’Hara left an indelible mark through iconic performances in films and shows such as Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice, and several others. She died in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
Actor Macaulay Culkin, who portrayed her son in the Home Alone films, shared a deeply personal tribute on Instagram. He wrote, “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later”.
Her Schitt’s Creek co-star and co-creator Dan Levy also remembered O’Hara with a heartfelt message. “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years. Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her," he shared on Instagram.
Another actor who worked alongside O’Hara in Heartburn paid tribute in a statement, saying, “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.”
Catherine's Beetlejuice co-star, Michael Keaton wrote on Instagram, “We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.”
Actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen, who collaborated with O’Hara on Apple TV’s The Studio, also paid tribute on Instagram. He wrote, “Really don’t know what to say… I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen. Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined in remembering the late actress, writing in a social media post, "I join Canadians and fans across the world in mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara. Over 5 decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy — from SCTV to Schitt's Creek. Canada has lost a legend. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who loved her work on screen. She will be dearly missed."
I join Canadians and fans across the world in mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara.Over 5 decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy — from SCTV to Schitt's Creek. Canada has lost a legend. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) January 30, 2026
Legendary actress Meryl Streep, who co-starred with O’Hara in the 1986 film Heartburn, honoured her memory by saying she brought “love and light to our world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed,” in a statement.
Actor Pedro Pascal, who recently shared screen space with O’Hara in The Last of Us Season 2, expressed his gratitude in an emotional message, “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always."
The showrunner of The Last of Us also shared a moving tribute on Instagram, writing, “I think she would prefer that we keep laughing somehow, or at the very least not cry. Not possible at the moment. As brutal as this feels for anyone who knew or worked with her, I know it is far more painful for her husband and sons and close family. I’m thinking about them right now too. It all hurts terribly. Goodbye, you legend... you wonderful, brilliant, kind, beautiful human being. We were lucky to have had you at all.”
Also read: Moira Rose to Kevin's mom: Catherine O’Hara’s most memorable performances through the years
Canadian comedian Tom Green took to X to honour the comedy icon, writing, “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 films and television classics. Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world.”
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