According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cast and crew, as well as the producer of Apple TV+’s The Studio, pay tribute to Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone), who played movie executive Patty Leigh in the comedic series. O’Hara died Friday at the age of 71 after a brief illness. Many colleagues, friends and admirers have given their remembrance to the beloved actress.
“We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara,” Apple TV and Lionsgate Television, which produces the series, said in a joint statement via The Hollywood Reporter. “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. Her artistic accomplishments will forever bring humor, light, and love for generations to come, and her brilliance and generosity of spirit touched everyone around her. We will hold her in our hearts always, and extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to her husband Bo [Welch], and children, Matthew and Luke.”
The Studio cast and crew said in a separate statement, “We are at a loss for words at the passing of our friend Catherine O’Hara. She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio. She was somehow classy, warm, and hilarious all at the same time. We’re unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to Bo and all her family.”
“I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen,” Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express, Knocked Up) wrote on Instagram via The Hollywood Reporter, with a picture of a smiling O’Hara leaning against his back. “Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous … she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ike Barinholtz (Blockers, The Hunt) known for playing Sal Saperstein in the series, wrote on Instagram posy saying, “never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O’Hara, let alone become friends with her. So profoundly sad she’s somewhere else now. So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her. Thank you Catherine I love you.”