Dan Levy Reflects on the "Irreplaceable" Legacy of Catherine O’Hara

On The Tonight Show, Dan Levy shares the comfort he finds in the global outpouring of love for his late Schitt’s Creek costar and friend, Catherine O’Hara.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 9:02 AM EDT

Source: People

A Lifetime of Collaboration and Family Bonds

The connection between the Levy family and Catherine O’Hara spanned over half a century, beginning long before the success of Schitt’s Creek. Dan Levy emphasized that O’Hara was considered "extended family," largely due to her five-decade professional partnership with his father, Eugene Levy. The two first rose to prominence on the Second City stage in Toronto before becoming staples of the influential sketch comedy series SCTV and appearing together in several Christopher Guest mockumentaries.

This deep history informed the chemistry seen in their portrayal of Johnny and Moira Rose. In a statement previously shared with the media, Eugene Levy expressed that words were "inadequate" to describe the loss of a partner he had worked with since their early days in improv. The younger Levy echoed this sentiment, stating that it is difficult to imagine a world without O’Hara’s "warm glow" and brilliant comedic timing.

Tributes from the Industry and Beyond

Jimmy Fallon joined Levy in praising O’Hara’s versatile career, which included iconic roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Best in Show. Fallon characterized her as one of the funniest comedians in history, specifically highlighting her mastery of character work. Levy added that her talent for improvisation was unparalleled, referring to her as "one of the great, great, great, great queens" of the industry.

The impact of her death was felt across the 2026 awards season, where she posthumously received accolades for her work in The Studio. During the Oscars, fellow Canadian Rachel McAdams also paid a tearful tribute to O’Hara, further illustrating the respect she commanded among different generations of actors. These public acknowledgments have reinforced the "collective loss" Dan Levy described during his interview.