Eugene Levy Reflects on Over 50-Year Friendship With Late Catherine O’Hara: ‘Words Seem Inadequate’

Eugene Levy paid tribute to his longtime collaborator Catherine O’Hara amid the news of her death, sharing just how much he “cherished” her on- and off-screen.

“Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today,” Levy said in a statement. “I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years.”

He continued: “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.”

Before concluding his statement, Levy noted that his heart went out to O’Hara’s family, including her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke.

Levy and O’Hara most recently collaborated on the comedy “Schitt’s Creek,” which the actor and his son, Dan Levy, created together. In the show, Levy and O’Hara played Johnny and Moira Rose, the respective patriarch and matriarch of the once affluent Rose family forced to rebuild their life in an unfortunately named town.

O’Hara also collaborated with Christopher Guest and Levy on four mockumentary films: “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration.”

Levy wasn’t alone in celebrating O’Hara on Friday, however, as many from the “Schitt’s Creek” cast commemorated her legacy following her passing (which came at the age of 71 after a brief illness).

“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” Dan Levy wrote on Instagram Friday.

“Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” he continued. “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.”

Sarah Levy, the elder Levy’s daughter who played Twyla Sands on “Schitt’s Creek,” took to Instagram with a tribute of her own. “This one cuts deep,” she wrote. “What an honor 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.”

Actor Tim Rozon posted on his Instagram Stories following the news, writing, “The kindest eyes, the warmest smile and the best laugh that would fill the room.”

Rozon also starred on “Schitt’s Creek,” playing Annie Murphy’s love interest Mutt Schitt on seasons 1 and 2 of the critically acclaimed comedy.

Jennifer Robertson, who played the mayor’s wife Jocelyn on “Schitt’s Creek,” said on Instagram that “being in Catherine O’Hara’s orbit was a beautiful and magical gift.”

The actress continued: “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.”

You can find more tributes here.

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