Dan Levy Overwhelmed with Emotion Remembering Catherine O'Hara
Dan Levy, the co-creator and star of the beloved sitcom Schitt's Creek, became visibly emotional during a recent interview while discussing the passing of his onscreen mother, Catherine O'Hara. The acclaimed actress died at age 71 on January 30 from a pulmonary embolism, leaving a significant void in the entertainment community and in Levy's heart.
No Plans for Schitt's Creek Follow-Up
When questioned by CBS News Sunday Morning about the possibility of a Schitt's Creek follow-up series, Levy firmly responded, 'No, not now. You can't.' The 42-year-old actor, often referred to as a nepo baby due to being the son of comedian Eugene Levy, had previously considered a sequel before O'Hara's untimely death. However, her passing has made such a project emotionally untenable for the time being.
Levy gave the interview while visiting the same Goodwood-area boutique that famously served as the setting for his character David Rose's Rose Apothecary in the series. 'It's tough. It's tough being back,' the Canadian actor-showrunner confessed through tears. 'I didn't think that I'd have quite an emotional reaction. Just a lot of memories… A lot of memories with Catherine. It's what you have to hold onto is the memories of it all.'
Remembering an Iconic Partnership
CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason noted during the segment, 'And an incredible clip reel,' to which Levy agreed, adding, 'Listen, for someone who was not on the internet, she knew how to meme.' This lighthearted comment highlighted O'Hara's enduring cultural impact despite her limited online presence.
The four-time Emmy winner co-created and starred in Schitt's Creek opposite O'Hara's portrayal of former soap opera actress Moira Rose. The critically-acclaimed sitcom aired for six successful seasons on Pop TV from 2015 to 2020, earning widespread praise and numerous awards for its heartfelt storytelling and character development.
Catherine O'Hara's Legacy and Final Years
The Canadian comedian had been suffering from rectal cancer prior to her death. She made her final public appearance looking frail at the Angel Awards in Santa Monica on October 16, just months before her passing. O'Hara is survived by her husband, four-time Oscar-nominated art director Bo Welch, whom she met in 1987 on the set of Beetlejuice, as well as their two sons, Matthew, 31, and Luke, 28.
The two-time Emmy winner's final acting roles were in Apple TV's The Studio and HBO's The Last of Us. However, she remains best remembered for her extensive body of work, including:
- The sketch comedy series SCTV
- The beloved Home Alone film franchise
- Christopher Guest's acclaimed mockumentaries
Levy's New Project: Big Mistakes
Despite the emotional weight of O'Hara's passing, Levy has moved forward with a new television project. He has created Big Mistakes, another series about a dysfunctional family, which premieres this Thursday on Netflix. In the eight-episode crime comedy, Levy portrays closeted pastor Nicky, who becomes blackmailed into working for dangerous criminals alongside his sister, played by Taylor Ortega.
When asked about comparisons between his new show and Schitt's Creek, Levy explained, 'I wouldn't let it in. I don't think you can. And you really have to lock the door on that and almost accept the fact that if that is the big crown jewel, fabulous. How wonderful. Everything else has to be something that makes me feel good.'
Big Mistakes features an impressive supporting cast including Laurie Metcalf, Jack Innanen, Boran Kuzum, Abby Quinn, Elizabeth Perkins, and Josh Fadem. The series represents Levy's continued evolution as a creator following the monumental success of Schitt's Creek, though he acknowledges that working without O'Hara's presence creates a distinctly different creative environment.
The emotional interview underscores the deep personal and professional bond that developed between Levy and O'Hara during their years working together on Schitt's Creek. While fans may hope for a reunion of the Rose family on screen, Levy's current focus remains on honoring O'Hara's memory while pursuing new creative endeavors that stand independently from their celebrated collaboration.
