Catherine O'Hara, the award-winning actor best known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, has died at the age of 71. Her agency, CAA, confirmed she passed away on Friday at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness.
Tributes have poured in from the worlds of showbiz and politics. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada had 'lost a legend', while former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called her a 'beloved Canadian icon'. Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt's Creek, said he would 'cherish every funny memory' he made with her, adding that it was 'a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O'Hara's brilliance'.
Eugene Levy, who worked with O'Hara for over 50 years, said: 'Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship.' Richard E Grant described her death as an 'incalculable loss', while Michael Keaton, her co-star in the Beetlejuice films, said: 'This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.'
Alec Baldwin called her 'one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business', and Seth Rogen, who worked with her on The Studio, said the news was 'devastating'. Mike Myers described her death as 'a very sad day for comedy and for Canada'.
O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew and Luke. Her family has announced a private celebration of her life.
