A major promotional media day for the Apple TV series The Studio, scheduled for Tuesday, has been officially cancelled following the sudden death of beloved actress Catherine O'Hara. The Emmy-winning star, who played Patty Leigh on the show, passed away on Friday at the age of 71.
Event Cancellation and Cast Tributes
The event was set to take place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with cast members Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, and Chase Sui Wonders scheduled to attend. According to reports, O'Hara herself was not slated to be present at the promotional gathering, but organisers decided to cancel the event entirely as a mark of respect following her passing.
In a heartfelt joint statement, the cast expressed their profound grief, stating they were 'at a loss for words' following the death of their colleague and friend. They described O'Hara as 'a hero to all of us' and expressed how they 'pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her.' The statement continued, 'She was somehow classy, warm, and hilarious all at the same time. We're unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to Bo and all her family.'
Rogen's Personal Tribute
The Studio co-creator Seth Rogen offered a particularly personal tribute, revealing how O'Hara's work had inspired his own career path. 'Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies,' Rogen stated. He recalled telling O'Hara when they first met that he considered her 'the funniest person I'd ever had the pleasure of watching on screen.'
Rogen described working with the veteran actress as 'a true honour,' praising her as 'hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous' and noting that she motivated him to make their show 'good enough to be worthy of her presence in it.' He called her passing 'just devastating' and reflected that 'We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.'
Industry-Wide Mourning
Co-star Ike Barinholtz expressed similar sentiments, calling his opportunity to work with O'Hara a career milestone he would 'forever cherish.' He told reporters, 'I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O'Hara let alone become friends with her. So profoundly sad she's somewhere else now. So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her.'
The industry-wide impact of O'Hara's death became evident as tributes poured in from across the entertainment world. Macaulay Culkin, her co-star from the iconic film Home Alone, posted a moving tribute on social media, writing 'Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later.'
Production Companies Respond
Apple and Lionsgate, the production companies behind The Studio, released a joint statement expressing they were 'heartbroken' by the actress's passing. They celebrated O'Hara as 'an undeniable legend, icon, and incomparable talent' whose artistic accomplishments would 'forever bring humor, light, and love for generations to come.'
The statement continued, 'Catherine elevated every project she was a part of, including the singular genius she brought to her role on The Studio, and every transcendent performance she gifted to us. Her brilliance and generosity of spirit touched everyone around her. We will hold her in our hearts, always.'
Official Announcement
O'Hara's agency, Creative Artists Agency, confirmed her death in an official statement, noting she passed away 'at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.' They described her as a 'prolific multi-award-winning actress, writer and comedian' and announced that 'a private celebration of life will be held by the family.'
The actress is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons. Her passing has left a significant void in the entertainment industry, with the cancellation of The Studio's media day serving as just one immediate consequence of this profound loss.
