Eugene Levy and Dan Levy Pay Emotional Tribute to Schitt’s Creek Costar Catherine O’Hara
Schitt’s Creek co-creators and stars Eugene Levy and Dan Levy are sharing their heartfelt reactions to the shocking news that their beloved costar, Catherine O’Hara, has died.
O’Hara’s manager confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday, Jan. 30, that the Canadian actress died at the age of 71.
The news came as a shock to friends and family of the legendary actress, who was known for her roles in Home Alone, Best in Show, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and much more.
Most recently, O’Hara is best known for portraying over-the-top actress and matriarch Moira Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek opposite Eugene Levy, who played her husband, Johnny Rose, and her on-screen kids Dan Levy (David Rose) and Annie Murphy (Alexis Rose).
Eugene, 79, remembered his decades-long friendship with O'Hara in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Friday.
“Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today," the actor said. "I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O'Hara for over fifty years."
"From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on Schitt's Creek, I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship," Eugene continued. "And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O'Hara family."”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/eugene-and-dan-levy-7f490596703745709e6e7d24ca8c2912.jpg)
Dan echoed his father's sentiment in his tribute shared on Instagram.
"What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years," he began.
"Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family," he continued. "It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her."
Dan also shared his "heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke and every member of her big, beautiful family."
Sarah Levy, 39, who also starred in the popular sitcom, mourned the loss in an Instagram post, writing on Friday alongside a photo of O'Hara in costume, "This one cuts deep. What an honour it has been to know and work with and love Catherine O’Hara. Cheers to all that you brought to this world - you will be so, so missed. ❤️."
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(768x483:770x485):format(webp)/levy-murphy-ohara-schitts-creek-event3-13026-3f2a76b3b2154bcab8e8f86f9bee4010.jpg)
Amy Sussman/Getty
Schitt’s Creek ran for six seasons from 2015 to 2020, following the Rose family after they lost their fortune and moved to the small town of Schitt’s Creek to run the Rosebud Motel.
The role won O’Hara her second Emmy Award in 2020 after she’d previously won in 1982 for her role on SCTV Network.
The cast last publicly reunited at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where Dan and Eugene co-hosted the show.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(922x517:924x519):format(webp)/schitts-creek-cast-sags-13026-f59e694c31344bdcb0ebe26864a2589c.jpg)
John Salangsang/Variety/Penske Media via Getty
After Schitt’s Creek wrapped, Dan, who co-created the comedy with Eugene, spoke with PEOPLE about his hope for continuing the series.
"My hope is that one day we can all get together. I see these people all the time. We're in constant contact with each other," Dan said in 2022. "So the love is there. The desire to work together is there, and the desire to tell more stories is there."
He continued, "I think it just comes down to making sure that it's the right story to tell. And I think we're also proud of the work we did on Schitt's. And when you end on such a high, it really forces you to think very carefully about what the next step is. Because whatever that is, is an extension of something that most people don't have, don't get to see in their life. And I really respect the audience in that thing."
