On February 1, 2026, Jenna Ortega paid a heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara, describing the late Canadian actress as “one of the greats.” Ortega, who starred alongside O’Hara in the 2024 film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, expressed her deep admiration and recalled the meaningful experience they shared during filming.
The 24-year-old actress posted on Instagram that Catherine was
“one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever had the honour of getting to work with and know,”
adding that she would
“forever cherish the time we shared together, and everything she taught me.”
Ortega also called O’Hara
“a giant and inspiration in many ways,”
thanking her for all she contributed.
Support and Remembrances from Co-stars and Friends
Ortega’s tribute came shortly after many stars paid their respects following O’Hara’s passing on January 30, 2026, at age 71. Macaulay Culkin, who acted alongside O’Hara in Home Alone and is her on-screen son, shared emotional throwback photos with the actress. Culkin wrote on Instagram,
“Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”
Another close colleague and Schitt’s Creek co-star Eugene Levy expressed his sorrow and said that “words seem inadequate” in the wake of her death after a short illness. Levy reflected on their longstanding friendship and professional partnership:
“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.”
He offered condolences to O’Hara’s husband Bo Welch and their sons, Matthew and Luke, concluding,
“And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.”
Seth Rogen Highlights O’Hara’s Influence on His Career
Actor and comedian Seth Rogen, who collaborated with O’Hara on his television comedy The Studio, shared how much she inspired him while growing up. On Instagram, Rogen described O’Hara as the funniest person he had ever watched on screen, citing Home Alone as the movie that motivated him to pursue filmmaking. He said,
“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.”
The Enduring Legacy of Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara’s passing has deeply affected many in the entertainment world, reflecting the powerful impact she made throughout her extensive career. From her early days on the Second City stage to beloved roles in SCTV, numerous films, and the popular series Schitt’s Creek, O’Hara’s talent and warmth resonated widely. Jenna Ortega’s tribute underscores not only the loss but also the lasting inspiration O’Hara leaves behind for colleagues and fans alike. Her influence on acting peers such as Levy and Rogen demonstrates her importance in the industry, and ongoing remembrances signal that her legacy will continue to be celebrated.
