Hollywood Reacts To The Devastating Death Of Catherine O'Hara

When news broke that comedy legend and Emmy winner Catherine O'Hara died at the age of 71, the entire entertainment industry found itself in mourning — including other luminaries who worked with O'Hara throughout her decades-long career on both the big and small screen.

It's not an understatement to say that O'Hara, a Canadian star known for everything from "SCTV" to "Schitt's Creek" to "Beetlejuice," was one of the funniest people to ever live. We're all lucky that we got to watch her perform, and those that had the opportunity to work with her know it as well. A particularly heartbreaking reaction to the shocking announcement of O'Hara's passing came from Macauley Culkin, who played her son in "Home Alone" and its sequel. "Mama. I thought we had time," Culkin wrote on Instagram with a shot of the two in "Home Alone" as well as a picture of them at Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023. "I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you," he continued. "I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later."

O'Hara's recent co-star Pedro Pascal, who worked with the actress on Season 2 of "The Last of Us," also posted a tribute on Instagram with a photo of the two on set. "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," he wrote."

Then there's Michael McKean, who appeared in Christopher Guest films with O'Hara. "Only one Catherine O'Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking," he wrote on the social media platform X.

Even some folks who aren't part of Hollywood specifically shared devastated reactions to Catherine O'Hara's untimely passing. Justin Trudeau, the former prime minister of Canada, wrote on X that "Catherine O'Hara was a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart. She made people laugh across generations and helped bring Canadian storytelling to the world in a way only she could."

The Canadian Academy, which awarded O'Hara a lifetime achievement award in 2021, also put out a statement on Instagram. "Catherine O'Hara was not just a comedic powerhouse, she was a true creative force who has left an indelible mark on our culture," they wrote. "She was equal parts humour, heart, and humanity and we will continue to celebrate her and her work for years to come. What an immense loss for our industry. She will be so deeply missed."

Other major Hollywood stars, like Ron Howard — who guest starred on "The Studio," now one of O'Hara's final projects — shared tributes too. On X, the actor and Oscar-winning director wrote, "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." (The two also worked on the 1992 film "The Paper." Meanwhile, actress Rita Wilson posted 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." Also on Instagram, O'Hara's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" co-star Justin Theroux mused, "Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed."

Again, it looks like one of Catherine O'Hara's final projects will be "The Studio," where she played studio head Patty Leigh alongside star Seth Rogen. Their co-star Ike Barinholtz, who plays another executive, Sal Saperstein, posted a tribute to O'Hara on Instagram. "I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O'Hara let alone become friends with her," he wrote. "So profoundly sad she's somewhere else now [...] So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her." 

Josh Gad, known for "Frozen" and "Book of Mormon," also posted on Instagram about the beloved actress. "I can't bring myself to believe she is gone [...] I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime," Gad wrote, apparently referencing O'Hara's career resurgence that began with "Schitt's Creek" and was going strong. "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."

Some outlets, meanwhile, provided statements from Meryl Streep and Mike Myers. "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," Streep said to the Associated Press. "It is a very sad day for comedy and for Canada. She was one of the greatest comedy artists in history, an inspiration for millions and above all a very elegant lady," Myers told The Hollywood Reporter.

Everyone at Looper also mourns the loss of O'Hara, a truly talented powerhouse and comedy legend.