Schitt’s Creek Cast Shares Heartfelt Memories of Catherine O’Hara Following Her Passing at 71
Catherine O’Hara’s former co-stars from Schitt’s Creek are expressing their grief following the actress’s passing. O’Hara died on January 30 at the age of 71, according to a statement from her agency, CAA, which noted she passed “at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.”
Dan Levy, who acted alongside O’Hara, described her influence in a heartfelt post on Instagram: “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.”
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that paramedics were dispatched to O’Hara’s Brentwood residence at 4:48 a.m. on the day of her death for a medical aid response. She was transported to a hospital in “serious condition,” with an official cause of death remaining unclear.
O’Hara was widely acclaimed for her role as Moira Rose, the matriarch of the Rose family on the Emmy-winning sitcom. Her portrayal earned her significant recognition, culminating in an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020. Fellow cast members included Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy, among others.
In the months leading up to her death, O’Hara had expressed a desire to reunite with her Schitt’s Creek family for a potential revival: “I would love to [do it]. We did a bit of a tour after we finished the show, and it was so much fun.” She voiced her eagerness to collaborate once more with Levy and Murphy.
O’Hara was grateful to co-creators Levy and Eugene Levy for allowing her creative input on the show. “It’s such a gift to work with people with whom you can collaborate,” she noted, adding that the show gained renewed popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic through Netflix.
Tributes have poured in from numerous colleagues, reflecting on the profound impact O’Hara had on their lives. Macaulay Culkin, who starred alongside her in Home Alone, and Michael Keaton, who worked with her on Beetlejuice, also expressed their condolences.
Tim Rozon, who played Mutt in the series, shared a post marking her death. Rizwan Manji, who portrayed town realtor Ray, highlighted his nervousness upon meeting O’Hara, recalling her “nice and funny” demeanor. “She was a true comedic genius who brought so much laughter to so many people,” he stated.
Dan Levy reiterated his deep sense of loss, writing that his heart goes out to O’Hara’s family. Eugene Levy, who collaborated with her for over five decades, emphasized the significance of their friendship, stating, “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today.”
Annie Murphy reflected on O’Hara’s infectious laughter, while Sarah Levy expressed her devastation, calling it a privilege to have known and worked with her, saying, “You will be so, so missed.”
Jennifer Robertson shared how being in O’Hara’s presence was a magical gift, noting her humility despite her stardom. Noah Reid, who played David’s husband Patrick, described working with O’Hara as an elevation of creativity, stating that she encompassed humor and magic in everything.
