2026-01-31 18:06:00
People everywhere are devastated by the news that Canadian actor Catherine O’Hara has died at 71, leaving behind a legacy of comedic, award-winning roles.
From her early work as the original cast of SCTV alongside John Candy, Harold Ramis, Martin Short, Joe Flaherty, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, and Eugene Levy to her reunion with Eugene decades later on the Emmy-winning series Schitt’s Creek, Catherine’s work brought joy to many, many people for years.
Her work spans decades, from classics like Home Alone to her frequent collaborations with directors Christopher Guest and Tim Burton — and celebrities are wasting no time sharing their tributes to her career and friendship. Here’s what they’re saying:
“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,” he wrote.
“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” Dan wrote. “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 wrote.
Meryl Streep, who starred in the 1986 adaptation of Nora Ephron’s book Heartburn with Catherine, shared a statement per the Associated Press.
“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,” Meryl wrote.
Michael Keaton, who famously starred in Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel alongside Catherine, as well as The Paper (1994) and 2005’s Game 6, shared a tribute 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,” he wrote.
Seth Rogen, who starred alongside Catherine in the award-winning Apple TV series The Studio as hilarious studio executives, shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram.
“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,” he began. “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.”
Andrea Martin shared a statement honoring her fellow SCTV alum and dear friend.
“Catherine. She is and will always be the greatest. It is an honor to have called her my friend,” she wrote.
Actor and filmmaker Christopher Guest, who collaborated with Catherine on unforgettable satirical comedies Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and For Your Consideration, shared a statement from his publicist via ABC News. “I am devastated. We have lost one of the comic giants of our age. I send my love to her family.”
Director Tim Burton, who collaborated with Catherine on everything from Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Frankenweenie, shared a cast photo and a heartfelt caption.
“Catherine, I love you. This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us. You were a special part of my life and after life,” he wrote.
Kevin Nealon, who worked with Catherine on the modern retelling of Eric Idle’s 1978 mockumentary All You Need Is Cash, took to his X account to share a tribute. “Catherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of Home Alone to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again.”
The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin shared his thoughts about Catherine’s passing on Instagram. “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,” he wrote.
Christopher’s wife, Jamie Lee Curtis, shared a clip from Best Show with the caption, “BEST OF THE BEST IN SHOW!”
Justin Theroux, who co-starred in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice shared an Instagram photo of a director’s chair with Catherine’s name on it with the caption, “🕊️Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.”
Elizabeth Banks shared a scene from Waiting for Guffman featuring Catherine and Fred Willard as a tribute to the late actor. “She was an all-timer. Her memory and work is a blessing. Rest peacefully,” Elizabeth wrote alongside the clip.
Pedro Pascal, who starred in Season 2 of The Last of Us alongside Catherine, shared an IG tribute to the actor. “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 ♥️,” he wrote in a caption alongside a on-set photo.
John Stamos also shared a clip from Waiting for Guffman, captioned to honor Catherine. “One of my all-time favorite scenes. Catherine was an artist in every sense of the word and a true comedic genius. She will be so missed,” John wrote.
Filmmaker Sarah Polley, who was featured in an episode of The Studio alongside Catherine, shared a post on Instagram.
“She was the kindest and the classiest. How could she also have been the funniest person in the world? And she was at the very top of her game. There won’t be another like her,” she wrote.
Ike Barinholtz, Catherine’s co-star from the award-winning series The Studio, penned a tribute on Instagram.
“I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O’Hara let alone become friends with her. So profoundly sad she’s somewhere else now, So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her. Thank you Catherine I love you,” he said.
“Catherine O’Hara — a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did. You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family. Bo, Luke and Matthew, our deepest sympathies. May Catherine rest in peace. May her memory be eternal.”
Alec Baldwin, who starred in Beetlejuice alongside Catherine, shared a statement with Page Six via his rep. “Catherine O’Hara was one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business. She had a quality that was all her own and my sympathy goes out to Bo and their family.”
Reba McEntire took to her X account to send her thoughts to Catherine’s family and friends. “Sending my thoughts to Catherine O’Hara’s family and friends today. I never had the privilege of working with her, but what a great talent. I loved her work so much that I wanted to dress up as her character from Beetlejuice a couple years ago,” she wrote with a red heart emoji.
“I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I can’t bring myself to believe she is gone. Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now?” he wrote. “I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime. Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs. RIP. My love and deepest condolences go out to her entire family.”
“I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. 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,” Tom wrote. “Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world. It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”
Director Paul Feig shared a photo with Catherine, along with a few words honoring her comedic genius. “Devastated by the death of Catherine O’Hara. She was such a hero of mine from SCTV onward. A true comedic genius. So versatile, so funny, so gifted. She made it look easy which is the hardest thing in the world. Rest in laughter, Ms. O’Hara,” Paul wrote.
Viola Davis shared a tribute on her Instagram. “Beautiful. Talented. Brilliant and taken way too soon. Another light has dimmed,” she wrote. “Humanity and laughter is what you brought….life. Rest well….God bless all you loved and who loved you. Many will speak your name….❤️💔”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a tribute on X honoring the decades of Catherine’s artistic work. “I join Canadians and fans across the world in mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara,” he wrote. “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.”
And Ron Howard, who appeared in an episode of The Studio and directed 1994’s The Paper, which starred Catherine, shared a tribute on his X account.
“This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family,” he wrote.