CATHERINE THE GREAT

In an outpouring of loving tributes from friends, family and fans, the world says goodbye to legendary Canadian actress Catherine O'Hara

- AMY BIELBY

Authentic. Classy. Kind. Genuine. Magical. Canadian icon Catherine O’Hara is being remembered with nothing but fondness after her sudden passing led to an overwhelming outpouring of love, sincere respect and warm memories from Hollywood and beyond. And while many paid tribute to her notable acting career, it was her gracious and humble approach to life that drew the most praise.

The beloved actress – known for roles in classics including Home Alone and Beetlejuice – died in Los Angeles at age 71 following a brief illness. While Catherine had lived for decades with a lifelong health condition (her heart was positioned on the opposite side of her body), it was not known to affect her day-to-day life, so her death came as a shock to friends, colleagues and fans alike. She leaves behind her husband of 33 years, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29, as well as a distraught acting community and legions of adoring fans.

Fellow Canadian Eugene Levy, 79, who worked with Catherine for an incredible five decades, shared an emotional statement. “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today,” he wrote. “I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her.”

His son, Dan, echoed those sentiments. “Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” wrote the 42-year-old actor. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it.”

When father and son co-created Schitt’s Creek, Catherine – who played the hilariously quirky, wig-wearing Moira Rose – originally agreed only to film the 15-minute presentation pilot but was persuaded to sign on for the entire series, which ran from 2015 to 2020 and became one of the most beloved television shows in recent history.