‘Schitt’s Creek’ Cast Reacts to Catherine O’Hara’s Death: ‘It’s Hard to Imagine a World Without Her in It’

The cast of Schitt’s Creek is mourning the loss of beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, who died on January 30 following a brief illness. She was 71 years old.

O’Hara portrayed the flamboyant and unforgettable Moira Rose on the Emmy-winning series from 2015 to 2020, starring alongside Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose, Dan Levy as David Rose, and Annie Murphy as Alexis Rose. The series was created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy and became a global cultural phenomenon during its six-season run.

Dan Levy and Eugene Levy Pay Tribute

Dan Levy shared an emotional message on Instagram, reflecting on decades of collaboration and friendship with O’Hara. He described her as extended family long before she portrayed his on-screen mother and wrote that it was “hard to imagine a world without her in it.” He added that he would cherish every memory they shared and extended condolences to O’Hara’s husband Bo Welch, and her sons, Matthew and Luke.

Later that day, Eugene Levy also released a heartfelt statement, saying words felt inadequate to express his sense of loss. He reflected on more than fifty years of working together, from their early days on the Second City stage to SCTV, multiple films with Christopher Guest, and their six years on Schitt’s Creek. Levy emphasized that beyond their professional partnership, he would miss O’Hara most as a friend.

Cast Members Remember Her Warmth and Humor

Several cast members shared their own tributes. Jennifer Robertson, who played Jocelyn Schitt, described being in O’Hara’s orbit as “a beautiful, magical gift,” noting that O’Hara never understood why people made such a fuss about her talent. She extended her condolences to O’Hara’s family.

Chris Elliott, who portrayed Roland Schitt, recalled working with O’Hara as a dream come true, praising her as warm-hearted, generous, and humble. He said he would always remember both their on-screen moments and the laughter they shared off camera.

The series also starred Emily Hampshire, Noah Reid, and Sarah Levy, all of whom were part of the ensemble that helped make Schitt’s Creek one of the most celebrated comedies of its era.

Industry Tributes and Career Highlights

CBC Television, which produced Schitt’s Creek, released a statement calling O’Hara a beloved Canadian icon whose brilliance lit up screens and stages worldwide. The network highlighted her work spanning SCTV, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek, noting that with her passing, “a light has gone out.”

For the show’s sixth and final season, O’Hara earned a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe, SAG Award, Critics Choice Award, and TCA Award for her performance as Moira Rose. Her portrayal of the proudly out-of-touch matriarch became central to the show’s comedic identity.

Before Schitt’s Creek, O’Hara collaborated extensively with filmmaker Christopher Guest on mockumentary classics including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman, and For Your Consideration. Guest described her as one of the great comic talents of her generation.

O’Hara’s career also included iconic roles as Kate McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, and the voices of Sally and Shock in The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy and Dan Levy in “Schitt’s Creek.” Source:Pop TV

A Lasting Legacy

Catherine O’Hara is remembered not only for her extraordinary comedic talent but also for her generosity, humility, and warmth. Her work continues to resonate with audiences across generations, and her influence on comedy and television remains undeniable.

As tributes continue to pour in, one message is shared by colleagues and fans alike: the world is poorer without her, but richer for everything she gave.