"Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today," Eugene Levy said as tributes continued to pour in for Catherine O'Hara, who has died aged 71.
The Canadian-born actress, who won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to her representatives.
Levy, who worked alongside O’Hara for decades, said he had the honour of knowing and working with her for more than 50 years. He described her as an extended family member and said he would miss her deeply.
His son and Schitt’s Creek co-creator Dan Levy also paid tribute, writing that O’Hara was "family before she ever played my family".
"What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years," he wrote, adding: "It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it."
O’Hara was also known for her roles as Kevin McCallister’s mother in Home Alone and its sequel, as well as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, a part she reprised in 2024.
Tributes came from across film and television. Meryl Streep praised O’Hara’s "whipsmart compassion" for the eccentrics she portrayed.
Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in Home Alone, wrote: "Mama. I thought we had time… I love you. I’ll see you later."
Beetlejuice co-star Michael Keaton said, "This one hurts. Man, am I gonna miss her."
Alec Baldwin called her "one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business", while Seth Rogen said the news was "devastating", adding that working with her was a true honour.
O’Hara also appeared in the second season of The Last of Us, and co-star Pedro Pascal wrote, "Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful."
Actor and comedian Ben Stiller said on X that it was "hard to explain the impact she had on comedy".
Mike Myers described her death as "a very sad day for comedy and for Canada", describing O'Hara as "one of the greatest comedy artists in history".
Director and actor Christopher Guest said, "We have lost one of the comic giants of our age."
Ben Stiller said it was "hard to explain the impact she had on comedy", while Mike Myers called it "a very sad day for comedy and for Canada".
Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau called her a "beloved Canadian icon", while the country's current leader, Mark Carney, said, "Canada has lost a legend."
In a statement, Mr Carney said he joined all Canadians in mourning, adding: "Over five decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy."
O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew and Luke.
Her family said they will hold a private celebration of her life.
