Catherine O’Hara, the actor whose fearless comedy and emotional honesty shaped decades of film and television, has passed away at 71. She breathed her last on Friday in Los Angeles after a brief illness. Best known for roles in ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ and ‘Beetlejuice,’ O’Hara left behind characters that crossed borders and generations. Her demise prompted tributes from Bollywood and Hollywood, with actors sharing grief, gratitude, and personal memories of working with her.
Bollywood actors mourn Catherine O’Hara and share Moira Rose quotes
Indian film stars were among the first outside Hollywood to respond publicly. Kareena Kapoor Khan paid tribute by sharing Moira Rose quotes from ‘Schitt’s Creek’ on her Instagram story and wrote, “Catherine O’Hara forever.” The posts reflected her clear connection to Moira’s dramatic humor and sharp emotional insight, qualities that made the character popular with Indian viewers.
Alia Bhatt also shared a photo of O’Hara with a broken heart emoji. Parineeti Chopra referred to her as “Mrs. Rose” and wrote that heaven had gained a leading lady. Bipasha Basu, Ileana D’Cruz, and Isabelle Kaif posted messages of condolence as well. Their reactions showed how O’Hara’s work, especially as Moira Rose, found devoted fans far beyond North America.Fans in India revisited Moira’s most quoted lines, including “Take a thousand naked pictures of yourself now” and “Worry is but undernourished enthusiasm.” The character’s mix of excess and truth helped cement O’Hara’s place in pop culture.
Hollywood tributes from on-screen sons and longtime collaborators
Hollywood reactions added a deeply personal context, reported by the Associated Press. Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in two ‘Home Alone’ films, 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.”Dan Levy, her on-screen son in ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ called her family. “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” he wrote.Meryl Streep, her co-star in ‘Heartburn,’ said O’Hara brought “love and light to our world.” Michael Keaton called her a true friend. Seth Rogen said she made him want to make movies. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described her as a national legend.Catherine O’Hara made people laugh, but she also made them feel understood. Her work continues to travel, from Hollywood sets to Indian screens, carried by characters that still resonate with audiences worldwide.
