Meryl Streep Pedro Pascal and Ben Stiller are among the stars who have shared tributes to comedy actress Catherine O’Hara who died on Friday aged 71. The Canadian-born actress was best known for her roles in Beetlejuice and Home Alone as well as popular TV shows like Schitt’s Creek and The Studio.
Meryl Streep said Catherine O’Hara brought love and light to the world through the unique and caring characters she played. Pedro Pascal said he was thankful for the chance to work with her.
Ben Stiller said her influence on comedy was hard to describe and added that there was no one like her.
O’Hara died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles after a short illness her agent confirmed. She began her career in Canada’s comedy scene before becoming known for a series of memorable film roles that earned her wide praise. Meryl Streep who worked with O’Hara in the 1980s comedy Heartburn said her death was a great loss for her family her friends and the audiences who loved her work. Michael Keaton who starred with her in Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel said they had known each other long before the first film. He said she had been his on-screen wife his on-screen rival and his real-life friend.
“This one hurts. I am really going to miss her.”
Director Tim Burton shared a photo from the latest Beetlejuice film and said Catherine brought light to everyone around her. He added that she was a special part of his life and afterlife. Alec Baldwin said O’Hara had a unique presence and called her one of the greatest comedy talents in the film industry.
Pedro Pascal said there was now less light in his world and added that the world was lucky to have had her and would always remember her.
Catherine O’Hara won a Golden Globe in 2021 for best actress for her role in Schitt’s Creek. She was also nominated this year for her performance as former movie executive Patty Leigh in Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire The Studio. She remains nominated for the Actor Awards which will be held in March for the same role. Seth Rogen said on Friday that when he first met O’Hara he told her she was the funniest person he had ever seen on screen. He said Home Alone was the film that inspired him to make movies and called working with her a true honour.
Actor and director Christopher Guest who worked with O’Hara on four films including For Your Consideration said she was one of the greatest comedy figures of her time. Guest’s wife Jamie Lee Curtis shared a video of O’Hara in Waiting for Guffman and wrote that she was the best of the best in show. Canadian actor and comedian Mike Myers said her death was a very sad moment for comedy and for Canada.
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau called her a beloved Canadian icon while current leader Mark Carney said the country had lost a legend. O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch her sons Matthew and Luke and her six siblings.