Catherine O’Hara’s death was announced on Friday, January 30. She was 71. She had an incredible career, but arguably one of her most memorable roles was in the hit television series, “Schitt’s Creek.”
A Celebration of Catherine O’Hara’s Relationship with Her Co-Stars
GettyThe hit series “Schitt’s Creek” ran for six seasons from 2015 until 2020 and was created by Eugene Levy and his son, Dan Levy. In addition to creating the series, both also acted in it as the leading men alongside other leads Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy. After the news of O’Hara’s death on January 30, this is a look back at one of her most beloved roles and the close relationship she shared with her co-stars.
GettyO’Hara and Eugene were longtime friends and collaborators whose friendship began in the ‘70s when they worked together on the Toronto-based improv troupe Second City. In a joint interview with Buzzfeed, they reflected on how they first met.
“I was a waitress at Second City … and Eugene was in the cast, and I auditioned for the cast,” O’Hara said. “At that time, Joe Flaherty, who was directing, said, ‘I heard you auditioned. Keep up the day job. Keep up the waitressing.’ But even waitressing at Second City was a cool job.” However, six months later, she did join the troupe.
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GettyCasting for ‘Schitt’s Creek’
GettyWhen Eugene and Dan created “Schitt’s Creek,” he knew he wanted O’Hara to be one of its stars. She played Moira Rose, who is married to Johnny Rose. “She was the very first. We had nobody else in mind besides Catherine. The thing was, Could we actually get her to do it?” he told Buzzfeed. He was concerned that O’Hara would not sign on because she is reportedly “very picky” about the projects she chooses.
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GettyDan and Eugene both paid tribute to O’Hara after her passing. “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years,” Levy said in a statement to Us Weekly. “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. And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.”
Dan penned a heartfelt tribute 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 wrote. “Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. 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. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and every member of her big, beautiful family.”
