Catherine O’Hara played Moira Rose, a former soap opera star, in Schitt’s Creek for six seasons.
Co-created by Dan and Eugene Levy, the role landed O’Hara an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe as the Canadian comedy swept the awards in its final season.
Moira Rose was an eccentric and glamorous character who believed she was a star, even when her and her family, played by her longtime colleague Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy, were forced to move into a motel in the remote titular town after losing their fortune.
Following O’Hara’s unexpected death at age 71 on Friday, the Levy men and the cast of Schitt’s Creek paid tribute to the star behind the star.
Watch on Deadline
Dan Levy, who played Moira’s son David Rose, wrote on Instagram, “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years. 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.”
Eugene Levy was close friends with Hara and worked with her in a variety of roles over the years. The pair started out in Toronto-based improv troupe The Second City, before joining the cast of sketch series SCTV in 1976 and then working on Christopher Guest films including Best In Show and A Mighty Wind.
“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,” said Eugene, who played Moira’s husband Johnny Rose, in a statement. “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.”
Annie Murphy, who played daughter Alexis Rose, wrote, “Ha-ha-HAAAA?!?! Her laugh was a perpetual Yes, And… It challenged anyone who heard it to join in, and be as delighted as she was. Gosh, were we ever lucky to have her.”
Eugene’s daughter Sarah Levy, who played Twyla on the show, wrote, “This one cuts deep. What an honour it has been to know and work with and love Catherine O’Hara. Cheers to all that you brought to this world – you will be so, so missed.”
Jennifer Robertson, who played Jocelyn Schitt, wrote, “Being in Catherine O’Hara’s orbit was a beautiful and magical gift. She was an absolute star who never understood why people made such a fuss over her. Catherine was truly one of a kind. Her passing is a loss for everyone who knew and loved her, and a loss for Canada. You will be deeply missed Catherine.”
Tim Rozon, who played Mutt Schitt, remembered O’Hara having “the kindest eyes, the warmest smile, and the best laugh that would fill the room.”
Schitt’s Creek ran for six seasons on CBC Television from 2015 to 2020, earning the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series and the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy for its final season.