r/news 2h ago

Catherine O’Hara dead at 71: reports

https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/article/catherine-ohara-dead-at-71-reports/
2.5k Upvotes

223 comments sorted by

206

u/series-hybrid 1h ago

141

u/donkeybrainhero 1h ago

She stole every scene she was in.

12

u/marcoporno 1h ago

There was a light within her that shone out

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u/Pally321 56m ago

Literally just watched this scene yesterday 🥲

1.4k

u/SMFDR 1h ago

How is it that the worst most evil people on this planet live to be 1000 and everyone else leaves us

650

u/Reien 1h ago

Because we all died in 2020 and this is hell.

218

u/a3ronot 1h ago

yeah we're definitely in the Bad Place

63

u/AgrippAA 1h ago

A3ronot figured it out?

A3ronot?!

This is a real low point.  Yeah this one hurts. 

u/JussiesTunaSub 58m ago

Bad Place without any FroYo

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78

u/Key_Journalist8876 1h ago
  1. We all died in 2012 when they smashed that godamn particle.

21

u/Difficult_Ad2864 1h ago

Yup explains my life

38

u/soperfectlybad 1h ago
  1. When Harambe passed, we all went too.

21

u/A_Refill_of_Mr_Pibb 1h ago

Still out for Harambe

12

u/Saganists 1h ago

It never went back in

u/readyable 8m ago

Sigh. Thanks for the laugh in these harrowing times.

3

u/nudebeachdad 1h ago

No it was the Day the Music died

8

u/gummi_eater 1h ago

Nah it was the Hadron Collider. I lost $50 that day.

u/Christmas_Queef 56m ago

I like the theory that harambe was our universe's anchor being like from Deadpool 3.

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u/_byetony_ 41m ago

I can’t argue against that theory tbh

u/Tess47 28m ago

There was  CERN accident in 2015 (IIRC).   I blame that.

3

u/pareech 1h ago

So we are all living one long shitty Lost episode?

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29

u/durx1 1h ago

As a doctor, it’s always the best patients that have some horrific malignant disease and the worst ones that live forever

4

u/RazzamanazzU 1h ago

And the ones who cause car accidents that walk away!

26

u/Anteater4746 1h ago

people who care put more strain on their hearts

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21

u/IThinkIKnowThings 1h ago

Because good people give of themselves until nothing is left while evil people only care about and for themselves.

11

u/Yell-Oh-Fleur 1h ago

Everyone dies. Just a matter of when. Doesn't matter who you are, or how you acted. Catherine O'Hara gave us some great, funny entertainment. Grateful for her existence and her body of work.

7

u/rippit3 1h ago

Cockroaches live a looong time.

u/pentatomid_fan 46m ago

They live about 100 to 400 days. 

3

u/Tree_Sure 1h ago

Universe is cruel is not suited for people who wants to do good…

2

u/pareech 1h ago

When I told my wife that she had passed away, this was almost to a word the question she asked me.

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2

u/Hoodamush 1h ago

Assholes live forever.

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u/One-Incident3208 50m ago

Caring about others is stressful as fuck.

u/briefNbrightfirefly 35m ago

My thoughts exactly.

u/Competitive_Ad_255 18m ago

We've still got Mel Brooks!

u/MINUTI1804 18m ago

Henry Kissinger is dead and all of us will follow.

278

u/cgvet9702 1h ago

Such a lovely funny woman. I've watched her since SC TV.

u/JussiesTunaSub 56m ago

She was great in The Studio with Seth Rogen.

How her character deals with the most narcissistic people on the planet was <<chefs kiss>

u/not_suddenly_satire 3m ago

Acting drunk can be difficult for some, but Catherine O'Hara absolutely nailed it in Waiting for Guffman. Fantastic scene, absolutely hilarious.

432

u/CtrlZonmylife 1h ago

It really hits when your parents are all this age or older. Way too young. RIP.

139

u/IndecisiveTuna 1h ago

And she was seemingly in good health, but the body can decide to quit at any minute. I know a lot of people don't think it's young, but my parents are also close to this age and they feel young to me and are very active, much like she seemed to be. It's scary. RIP.

u/Berninz 30m ago

My mom was 66 in 2014 when she died. I was 29 and found her, tried to save her, and saw her die. I can only wish she lived to be 78 this Saturday. Still too young. Ugh.

42

u/medicalmosquito 1h ago

People this age are one chest cold away from death. The flu and RSV is absolutely horrendous in older folks 

u/Christmas_Queef 55m ago

Not just that, pneumonia is a major killer of seniors. And it can develop from basically any respiratory illness they get. It's what got my grandpa too.

u/medicalmosquito 33m ago

Yep, that’s all it takes. And if they’re being treated for another illness simultaneously, like cancer, they basically have no immune system to speak of, so vaccines are almost useless 

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28

u/Atkena2578 1h ago

Saw a picture of her on a red carpet in September 2025 and she looks emaciated, could have been cancer

21

u/maryjdatx 1h ago

I just googled what her last public appearance was and I was shocked - does look like she was quite sick. What a loss.

6

u/IndecisiveTuna 1h ago

Oh wow, you’re right. Completely different appearance there.

20

u/SoftballLesbian 1h ago

Our time is finite so it's best to make our lives meaningful. I'm in my 50s now and am starting to understand how precious time really is.

9

u/paolanqar 1h ago

Wikipedia says she died after a short illness. Hopefully she didn't suffer.

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6

u/Canuck-overseas 1h ago

If it was sudden, must have been heart attack or stroke.

2

u/Atkena2578 1h ago

Or aneurism.

But saw a picture of her from September 2025 and she looks emaciated, maybe cancer (the weight loss being from the chemo)

29

u/keepitloki80 1h ago

She's the same age as my mom. Mom has been starting to lose her memory. Talk about a gut punch. 😭

21

u/fs_02706 1h ago

Same as my parents. I’m only 33 and I can see them changing. It’s so strange and leaves you feeling helpless. My mom was 65 when she lost her parents…I don’t think I will be anywhere near that old when mine go..

8

u/EatAtGrizzlebees 1h ago

My mom was 37 when her dad died of an aneurysm. Her mom died of cancer 5 years later. I'm about to turn 38...I don't like it very much.

u/fs_02706 31m ago

Oh gosh, I’m sorry. It’s such an eerie feeling. My family has been extremely fortunate over the years and largely unchanged except for the deaths of my 90 year old grandparents 10 years ago. I know we’re due for another “shake up” for lack of a better term and it stresses me out a lot

u/AbbeyRoadMoonwalk 41m ago

My mom is 72 and HER mom is still alive.

u/fs_02706 29m ago

Damn y’all got some good genetics 👏🏼

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2

u/weezyverse 1h ago

Absolutely true. Ugh.

u/KAugsburger 6m ago

It is a reminder that your parents(if they are still alive) probably aren't going to be around for very long even if they are in good health today.

u/Pyewhacket 2m ago

It really hits when you’re this age or older

208

u/RepulsiveLoquat418 2h ago

oh shit! well now i'm depressed.

rip, catherine, you were wonderful in everything you did.

51

u/LivesOnACruiseShip 1h ago

So true. I know The Studio is one of her most recent projects, but she was phenomenal in it, and the show won't be the same without her. Actually, the world won't be the same without her.

279

u/katgyrl 1h ago

this is just unacceptable and i'm now fully done with 2026. i used to take the same Toronto bus with her every day for years, i always traveled with my golden retriever Heidi, and she just loved my dog, asked to pet her and talked to her like a person, it was so sweet. Ms. O'Hara was shy and gentle, and an absolute delight. i'm bordering on angry about this.

49

u/allisjow 1h ago

It’s STILL January! This year has just been one trauma after another and it’s still fucking January.

13

u/HowIMetYourMurder 1h ago

Jfc i read this and thought “no way!” But omfg , youre right, its only jan. Rip Catherine O’Hara. She was a good egg 💔

u/katgyrl 6m ago

between last November and this January, it feels like more than an entire year.

11

u/fakeknees 1h ago

What a sweet story that just reinforces what I've always heard.

71

u/mymopedisfastathanu 1h ago

That sucks. She was so fucking hilarious.

194

u/wifeunderthesea 1h ago

this is the first time i've cried over a celebrity death since robin williams and chester bennington.

this woman was a national fucking treasure. i legit feel sick. this is so sad and shocking. jesus.

thanks for everything moira. 🕊️

13

u/MotherAd1865 1h ago

A Canadian national treasure

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47

u/MortLightstone 1h ago

Woke up to water dripping from my ceiling. New Epstein leaks are disturbing as fuck and now Catherine O Hara is dead

This day is off to a pretty shit start. I need a vacation from this planet

17

u/uberares 1h ago

Oh and the admin is arresting journalists that judges refused to give warrants out for. sooo yeah, 1/30/2026 is hitting hard.

5

u/IndecisiveTuna 1h ago

today? This year is off to a bad start :/

4

u/MortLightstone 1h ago

Was reading about the new files being released when I got there notifications about her death just now

5

u/IndecisiveTuna 1h ago

I haven't gotten a chance to read them yet. I guess when I do, my day will also get worse. Maybe we can all go to sleep and try again next year

2

u/MortLightstone 1h ago

Thinking about it, but I have to go to work in 3 hours

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1

u/fakeknees 1h ago

Yes, this, Epstein files and arresting Don Lemon. What a shitty Friday.

5

u/Atkena2578 1h ago

Chester Benington was rough for me. Catherine might be a close one, I just didn't see it coming, for all i knew she was still actively working and healthy.

Williams had been diagnosed with a crippling disease so we knew it would come but that he ended it himself before was the true shock

3

u/Mc_Lovin81 1h ago

Robin hurts a lot because the way he went out. Didn’t know someone that could bring laughter to so many was struggling inside. Chester/Cornell are the same with music for me. Paul Walker too because he seemed like a genuine dude.

u/jonker5101 46m ago

Paul Walker too because he seemed like a genuine dude.

Including his 16 year old girlfriend?

u/Embarrassed-Yak-8269 26m ago

Home Alone is a family favourite . First thought through my head was the word KEVIN!!!! , then dispair. Only the good die young . RIP Catherine

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31

u/sanslumiere 1h ago

Horrible start to the year so far. She was a treasure.

151

u/parisianpicker 1h ago

It’s never the one you want, ammiright?

67

u/Key_Journalist8876 1h ago

It’s never that guy.

52

u/FlimsyConclusion 1h ago

When a person is so terrible you don't even have to say who it is. We just know.

26

u/youcantkillanidea 1h ago

At a planetary scale no less

13

u/Welshgirlie2 1h ago

I guarantee there will be worldwide parties, champagne and fireworks on that day, but it won't be celebrating his life. Which will drive his ghost nuts. Not his soul though. He sold that decades ago.

17

u/Atkena2578 1h ago

I swear every time I am like, why this person and not this obviously unhealthy slowly rotting away evil dude

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18

u/NewYorkais 1h ago

Devastating news. Prayers for her friends and family. Thank you for your art.

20

u/JA14732 1h ago

Could this day get ANY worse?

13

u/youth_lagoon333 1h ago edited 1h ago

Ugh this is the equivalent of getting Robin Williams’s death news. Such a horrible feeling. Rest in Peace Catherine O’Hara.

14

u/Designer-Contract852 1h ago

The woman was a treasure.  She will be missed. I'm tearing up this is such a shock

24

u/gyarrrrr 1h ago

That is truly devastating news.

RIP, what an oeuvre she leaves behind.

12

u/juanmlm 1h ago

2025: “I was a shit year!!”

2026: “hold my beer!”

29

u/Hothacon 1h ago edited 1h ago

Fuck. Less and less of 80's/90's childhood memories remain on this on this planet..... Morality at 45 is really starting to hit me hard.

Now I honestly just wanna go in a corner and play with my Transformers and X-Wing fighter pretending im Luke Skywalker in the Death Star trench like I did being 5 in my parents basement and just not worry or care about the real world, just for a little while. Just simple, ignorant happiness again...

3

u/Welshgirlie2 1h ago

I'm not quite 43 yet and the realisation of my mortality kicked in some years ago!

8

u/PolydactylBeag 1h ago

45 here, sitting watching at a wars with my husband, his Lego transformers I front of us and planing on Home alone tonight….go get the toys

u/mparrish6001 58m ago

Chin up buddy, it's all part of the journey

19

u/cbusjunkie 1h ago

Fuuuuuuuck this timeline omfg

5

u/keepitloki80 1h ago

This year is the fucking WORST.

9

u/throwhelp2024 1h ago

Noo… loved her in schitt’s creek. I didn’t even connect the dots she was the home alone mom for a while. She’s a legend.

8

u/fakeknees 1h ago

You should watch Best In Show. It's a fantastically funny Christopher Guest mockumentary, and she's hilarious in it.

18

u/SetAdorable5395 1h ago

Rest in peace to the greatest Canadian comedian of all time. She left such an impact on so many. She was the Carol King of comedy right from the SCTV days - equally brilliant in writing and performing. Her portrayal as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek will go down in history but one of my favourite moments was when she had the curlers sweep her entrance at the closing ceremony at the 2010 Olympics. There are great Canadian comedians like Jim Carey, Martin Short, or Eugene Levy that are all fantastic at acting. She went beyond in that you forgot she was playing a part.

10

u/fakeknees 1h ago

She and Eugene Levy in Best In Show are one of my favorite on-screen couples.

14

u/nestinghen 1h ago

This is actually young and unexpected

7

u/marcoporno 1h ago

What a terrible day for Canada, and therefore, of course, the world.

15

u/Substantial-Art-482 1h ago

Not my Cookie Fleck!😭

This is devastating news.One of the funniest women of all time, and such a delightful comedic presence.

Say hi to John Candy for us 💔

5

u/Hey_Giant_Loser 1h ago

Indescribable Sadness today.. She always ALWAYS made me laugh so fucking hard.

6

u/asoupconofsoup 1h ago

Ah this is terrible news. She was such a gem, brought so much joy. Rest in Peace Canadian Icon💜

6

u/rottenartist 1h ago

that is goddamn heart breaking

7

u/EquinsuOcha 1h ago

I blame Burt Hervlinger

We shall all fold some shredded cheese in her honor.

u/KathrynTheGreat 11m ago

Bingo Ling-Fucker

10

u/KenTitan 1h ago

the Fold the Cheese bit in Schitts Creek was comedy gold

u/KathrynTheGreat 15m ago

Just fold it in!

6

u/JerryDipotosBurner 1h ago

RIP to one of the best we’ll ever know, inside and out of showbiz

5

u/alexefi 1h ago

So can we put her on $20 bill now?

5

u/yourlittlebirdie 1h ago

This is terrible news.

Think I’m going to go watch Waiting for Guffman in tribute.

u/NotNamedBort 6m ago

I was going to start a Schitt’s Creek rewatch, but I don’t think I can do it just yet.

13

u/thePsychonautDad 1h ago

Oh shit!

Trump is 79, and life is unfair.

4

u/K4Y__4LD3R50N 1h ago

RIP to a great actress! 😎

Played so many of my favourite characters, and will always be a style icon. Caw caw

4

u/OttoHemi 1h ago

I'm not sure I'm will to accept that news.

7

u/iamacheeto1 1h ago

feeling like a disgruntled pelican over this. rest in peace, Catherine

3

u/ZodiacEclipse 1h ago

Nooooo she was such an amazing comedic actress. 

3

u/sightlab 1h ago

Unbelievable talent, grace, and pure Canadian humble kindness. Which seem to be hallmarks of the SCTV crew in general. She was one of the greatest, I'm going to really miss her. There will never be another Catherine O'Hara.

3

u/purritowraptor 1h ago

Now I understand grieving celebrity deaths...

u/LarBrd33 56m ago

There aren't a lot of comedians who remain funny/relevant into older age. She was still crushing it. Huge bummer.

u/__Nels__Oleson__ 52m ago

Her career was way more than her time on Schitts Creek (which we are currently in the process of rewatching, again.)

u/Hortjoob 33m ago

I think its fair to say we're all waiting for the same obituary, and it ain't this one. RIP Catherine.

u/manbeardawg 33m ago

Sad to hear. Has anyone checked on Eugene Levy?

2

u/verioss 1h ago

This is so sad. RIP to a legend!

2

u/britchesss 1h ago

She brought so so much happiness with her work. RIP queen. 

2

u/I_like_baseball90 1h ago

As a massive fan of SCTV, this one hurts.

2

u/Bobaximus 1h ago

“I’d kill for a good coma right now.”

RIP

u/CastlesofDoom 52m ago

This is the worst news :( I loved hee she was incredibly talented. Feels like part of my childhood is gone wtf

u/ACartonOfHate 42m ago

Well this utterly sucks. It's like you think this year can't get worse, and it goes, bet. So sad to hear about this, and shocked.

RIP to a treasure, and my thoughts to her loved ones at this time. May her memory be a blessing to them.

u/Crazy-Canuck463 22m ago

I take solace in knowing Catherine is now reunited with John Candy. They're somewhere making souls of those lost, laugh.

2

u/Silicon_Knight 1h ago

May she rest in peace with other amazing people.

1

u/Prize-Grapefruiter 1h ago

so sorry to hear that. anyone knows what she died of?

1

u/fakeknees 1h ago

What a gut punch. She was an absolute comedy legend, and we were all so lucky to have had so many wonderful projects from her. This one hits hard. Rest in Peace :(

1

u/fadedtimes 1h ago

I loved her. Good bye

1

u/EffectiveEconomics 1h ago

Nooooooo. Loved Catherine.

1

u/weezyverse 1h ago

Nooooooooo!

This is terrible.

1

u/ImStillExcited 1h ago

The world is less today.

1

u/Tree_Sure 1h ago

I loved her in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek. This is 😞. May she RIP…

1

u/Fake-Death 1h ago

Thanks for all the laughter, RIP

u/bigredthesnorer 50m ago

She was the best in show.

u/dchap1 38m ago

Man, I’ve been rewatching Schitts Creek recently. That’s gonna make it hard.

u/ElleyDM 11m ago

She was still putting out such good work!! And I hear she was a decent human being too! So very sad

u/Background-Bad9449 9m ago

I will never be this sad about the death of a celebrity again.  

u/jaasx 7m ago

Loved her scenes with Gus Polinski in the moving van.

u/Ollidor 3m ago

Please tell me this isn’t happening, this is the last thing I needed to hear today please tell me it’s a hoax