Comedy and television lost one of its most peerless gems when the legendary thespian, Catherine O’Hara, passed away on Friday at the age of 71. The beloved star of Schitt's Creek made her last appearance on screen in the Apple TV+ series The Studio that earned an Emmy nomination. In remembrance, the creative family of the show, she left behind honored her, admiring her warmth and humor with every scene she performed.

In a heartfelt note, the entire cast and crew of The Studio came forward to celebrate the life and legacy of O’Hara as her sudden demise shook the world of cinema.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, all the producers and cast members of The Studio released a joint statement remembering Catherine O'Hara as an undeniable legend and incomparable talent. They recalled how her presence elevated every project she was a part of, including the comedy series, The Studio, where she played movie executive Patty Leigh. 

"She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio," the cast and crew stated, as they described her as classy, warm, and hilarious in demeanor while they expressed their deep sadness about losing a friend who had worked with them.

"An undeniable legend, icon, and incomparable talent, 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," Apple TV and Lionsgate Television, the production houses for the series, conveyed in a joint statement, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Seth Rogen, who co-created and starred in the show, shared a personal tribute about O'Hara on Instagram, recalling their auspicious first meeting. Rogen said her work on Home Alone inspired him to make movies, and he considered working with her on The Studio as a great honor, which raised the bar of the show to new heights.

Ike Barinholtz, who co-starred with O'Hara as Sal Saperstein, also expressed his disbelief about working with the icon. He never expected they would become friends, yet he felt deep gratitude for their shared experiences, as he wrote in a heartwarming tribute to her on Instagram, among several other celebrities, whom O'Hara had inspired or left a lasting impression on.

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With a deluge of tributes from the entire industry, O'Hara's cultural influence came to light as her shocking death sent Tinseltown into mourning. 

Hollywood lost Catherine O’Hara on January 30, 2026, following her battle with a brief illness. Her colleagues, including Pedro Pascal, who worked with her on The Last of Us, Home Alone's Macaulay Culkin, fellow icons Michael Keaton, Meryl Streep, and many others, have publicly honored her brilliance and compassion, which created a lasting impact on others.

Filmmaker Tim Burton paid a tribute to O’Hara, who played Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, calling her the light of his life and afterlife on Instagram. Christopher Guest, Ron Howard, Rita Wilson, and others all honored her legacy and warmth, celebrating her as a comic genius whose work spanned generations. Her colleagues also remembered her kindness and talent, as she left behind an ingenious body of work that immortalizes her cinema legacy. 

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What are your thoughts on Catherine O’Hara's demise and the deluge of tributes? Leave a comment below.