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Culture February 2, 2026

Seth Rogen, Eugene Levy and more pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara after her death

WATCH: Celebrating the life and legacy of Catherine O’Hara

The Hollywood community is mourning veteran actress Catherine O'Hara, who died recently at the age of 71.

O'Hara's manager confirmed the news of her death on Friday, Jan. 30. No cause of death was given.

The actress, who most recently starred in "The Studio" alongside Seth Rogen and more, was remembered by the show's cast and crew.

A rep for Rogen shared a statement from "The Studio," which read, "We are at a loss for words at the passing of our friend Catherine O'Hara."

"She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio," the statement continued. "She was somehow classy, warm, and hilarious all at the same time. We're unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to [her husband] Bo and all her family."

Macaulay Culkin, who starred in 1990's "Home Alone" as Kevin McCallister, the son of O'Hara's character Kate McCallister, remembered his "mama" in an Instagram tribute.

"Mama. I thought we had time," Culkin wrote. "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."

In Culkin's post, he included side-by-side photos of him and O'Hara on the "Home Alone" set and more recently, in December 2023, when O'Hara supported Culkin at his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.

Just hours after the news broke, comedic duo Martin Short and Steve Martin raised a glass to their late friend onstage in Austin, Texas, during a stop on their comedy tour.

"Catherine O'Hara I met when she was 18 years of age. And in all these years later, she has been the greatest, most brilliant, kindest, sweetest angel that any of us worked with," Short said, as seen in video posted on TikTok. "So, God bless Cate."

Jennifer Robertson, who starred alongside O'Hara on Schitt's Creek, also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

"Being in Catherine O'Hara’s orbit was a beautiful and magical gift," Robertson wrote. "She was an absolute star who never understood why people made such a fuss over her. Catherine was truly one of a kind. Her passing is a loss for everyone who knew and loved her, and a loss for Canada. You will be deeply missed Catherine. 💔"

O'Hara's longtime friends and "Schitt's Creek" co-stars Eugene, Dan and Sarah Levy all shared emotional tributes as well.

"Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today," Eugene Levy, O'Hara's frequent collaborator, said in a statement, first reported by People. "I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O'Hara for over fifty years."

"From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on 'Schitt's Creek,' I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship," he continued. "And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O'Hara family."

Dan Levy, Eugene Levy's son and co-creator of the hit "Schitt's Creek" series, took to Instagram and shared two photos of himself alongside O'Hara with a heartfelt caption.

"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," Dan Levy stated. "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. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke and every member of her big, beautiful family."

Sarah Levy, Eugene Levy's daughter, who played waitress Twyla Sands on "Schitt's Creek," also shared a tribute on Instagram, writing, "This one cuts deep."

"What an honour it has been to know and work with and love Catherine O'Hara. Cheers to all that you brought to this world -- you will be so, so missed. ❤️," she wrote.

Ike Barinholtz, who worked with O'Hara on "The Studio," shared a message on Instagram reflecting on their friendship and time together.

"I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O'Hara, let alone become friends with her," Barinholtz wrote. "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 ❤️."

Joe Pesci, who played Harry Lyme in "Home Alone," shared a statement following O'Hara's death.

"Catherine was a great actress, and she will be missed. God bless. Rest in Peace," Pesci stated.

Tim Burton, who directed O'Hara in "Beetlejuice," shared a tribute to the late star on Facebook with a photo from set from "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice" with him, O'Hara, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega. In the caption, Burton wrote, "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 afterlife."

Christopher Guest, a longtime collaborator of O'Hara's who directed and starred alongside her in several mockumentary-style movies including, "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration," released a statement following her death.

"I am devastated," Guest said in a statement shared by his publicist. "We have lost one of the comic giants of our age. I send my love to her family."

Guest's wife, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, also shared a clip from "Best in Show" on Instagram and captioned it, "BEST OF THE BEST IN SHOW! Catherine O'Hara."

Michael McKean, who appeared in "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind" alongside O'Hara, reacted to news of her death in a post on X.

"Only one Catherine O'Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking," McKean wrote.

In a statement shared to Instagram, SAG-AFTRA remembered O'Hara and her "unforgettable work."

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Catherine O'Hara. A beloved actor and comedian, Catherine was a two-time SAG-AFTRA Actor Award winner for her unforgettable work on 'Schitt's Creek,'" the union shared. "She's currently a nominee for 'The Studio.' From comedy to drama, her brilliance, generosity and originality has left an indelible mark on film and television. We honor her extraordinary legacy and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and legions of fans. #SagAftraMember since 1980."

Actor and director Ron Howard, who recently worked with O'Hara on "The Studio," remembered O'Hara as a "wonderful person."

"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," Howard wrote in a post on X. "My heart goes out to Bo & family. #RIPCatherineO'Hara"

Actress and singer Rita Wilson paid tribute to her friend on Instagram.

"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," Wilson wrote alongside a smiling photo of O'Hara. "Bo, Luke and Matthew, our deepest sympathies. May Catherine rest in peace. May her memory be eternal."

Michael Keaton, who starred in the titular role in 1988's "Beetlejuice" alongside O'Hara, said he was going to miss his old friend.

"We go back before the first Beetlejuice," Keaton wrote on Instagram. "She's been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her. Thinking about Beau as well."

Pedro Pascal paid tribute to O'Hara in an Instagram post, featuring a photo of the two on the set of season 2 of "The Last of Us."

"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 ♥️," Pascal wrote in the accompanying caption. "The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara."

Justin Theroux, who co-starred in 2024's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," with O'Hara -- who reprised her role as Delia Deetz from the original 1988 "Beetlejuice" film -- shared an Instagram photo of a director's chair with O'Hara's name on set.

"🕊️Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed," Theroux captioned the photo.

Paul Walter Hauser remembered O'Hara as an iconic and memorable performer in an Instagram tribute.

"She was my Meryl Streep. I could watch her in anything," Hauser wrote. "Didn't matter how good or bad the film or show was. I wanted to see what she would do. SCTV, After Hours, Beetlejuice, Home Alone 1 & 2, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Schitt's Creek, The Studio. Not sure I can process or fathom that she's gone but I am so grateful for the work she did and how she kept such a flawless reputation in a very sketchy and checkered business."

"A freaking angel just went home to Heaven," he added, "And she's not home alone."

Josh Gad worked with O'Hara in his animated comedy series "Central Park." 

"I don't understand what I'm seeing," Gad wrote in an Instagram post re-sharing news of her death. "I can't bring myself to believe she is gone. Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? 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."

Singer Michael Buble, who, like O'Hara, is Canadian, called her an "ambassador" of their home country.

"Heartbroken doesn't even begin to cover it. Catherine O'Hara was one of a kind," Bublé wrote on Instagram. "A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can't fully put into words. She wasn't just a legendary artist, actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest sense: brilliant, fearless, deeply original, and so full of humanity. She made the world laugh, but she also made people feel seen."

"As an artist, she inspired me more than she'll ever know," Bublé added. "She set the bar for what it means to represent your country with excellence and grace and all without ever losing warmth or humility. My heart is broken for her family, her loved ones, and everyone who adored her, both here in Canada and around the world. If you're grieving this loss, you're not alone. We're all holding a piece of this sadness together. Rest easy, Catherine. Thank you for everything."