Hollywood director and producer Ron Howard, who is best known for films such as “A Beautiful Mind,” has paid tribute to Catherine O’Hara following her sad death today. The former “Home Alone” and “Schitt’s Creek” actor passed away at the age of 71 following a brief illness after being transported to hospital in the early hours of Friday morning,
Ron Howard Pays Tribute to Catherine O’Hara
Writing about the news of O’Hara’s passing on Twitter, the filmmaker made it clear how much it had affected him and the enjoyment he experienced working with her in various projects.
He wrote, “This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator.”
Howard continued, “I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family.”
The pair have been involved in a number of films and television series together over their long careers. Most notably, O’Hara was part of the cast of “The Paper,” a comedy-drama that Howard directed in 1994. It included a cast of Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, and Randy Quaid, with O’Hara starring alongside Michael Keaton’s character.
More recently, the two were both involved in the satirical television series “The Studio,” with Howard having a guest role as himself. The show stars Seth Rogen as the head of a fictional television studio and was created with his longtime writing partner Evan Goldberg.
Michael Keaton Mourns His Close Friend in Emotional Tribute
Michael Keaton has also paid tribute to his co-star and fellow actor. Sharing an image to his Instagram account that showed the pair embracing during the promotion of the 2024 film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” he wrote an emotional message about O’Hara.
“We go back before the first ‘Beetlejuice,’” Keaton wrote on Instagram. “She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.”
Keaton continued his message, writing, “Thinking about Beau as well,” in reference to O’Hara’s husband Bo Welch.
The pair are probably best known for their collaboration on 1988 film “Beetlejuice” and its sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in 2024. However, they also appeared in a number of other projects together.
Along with playing husband and wife in “The Paper,” O’Hara and Keaton also worked together on the 2005 film “Game 6,” the Michael Hoffman comedy-drama where they played husband and wife.
