Catherine O'Hara death mourned by 'Schitt's Creek' cast – 'What a loss'

Hollywood is reeling from the shocking death of Catherine O'Hara, who was a beloved TV fixture for six seasons of "Schitt's Creek" as the eccentric Moira Rose.

"Schitt's Creek" aired from 2015 to 2020 on CBC Television in Canada, but gradually gained a devoted stateside following when the comedy series began streaming on Netflix. The fish-out-of-water tale followed a wealthy family who lost their fortune and were forced to relocate to a small-town motel.

The show picked up nine Emmy Awards throughout its run, including best comedy series. It also took home individual acting prizes for O'Hara, Annie Murphy, and Dan and Eugene Levy, who co-created the beloved sitcom.

Dan Levy paid tribute to his TV mom and real-life friend on Instagram, sharing a selfie of the pair.

"What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years," he wrote in the post's caption. "Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her."

O'Hara, who died Jan. 30 at 71, was remembered by her "Schitt's Creek" co-star Karen Robinson, who played Ronnie Lee in the series.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Eugene, 79, said words fail to describe the loss of his decades-long friendship with O'Hara.

"I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O'Hara for over fifty years," he wrote. "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. And I will miss her."

"The unmitigated good fortune of sharing space and work and laughter with the brilliance that was Catherine O'Hara is something that I will treasure forever," Robinson said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "I am heartbroken for her family and all circles of her friends and loved ones. Oh Canada - what a loss. Thank you, Catherine, for everything you gave us before you left us. So much and so timeless that a part of you will always stay with us."

Jennifer Robertson, who starred as Jocelyn Schitt, remembered O'Hara's "magical gift."

"I am deeply saddened to hear we have lost Catherine. Being in Catherine O'Hara's orbit was a beautiful, magical gift," Robertson wrote in a statement to USA TODAY. "She was absolute star who never understood why people made such a fuss about her. Her passing is a loss for everyone who knew and loved her. My deepest condolences to Bo, her sons, and the O'Hara family."

Chris Elliott, who played Roland Schitt alongside Eugene Levy and O'Hara, said he joins the world in being shocked and saddened by her passing.

"Working with her and Eugene was a dream come true for me -  made all the more special because Catherine was such a warm hearted, generous and humble human being," Elliott said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "I will always remember the laughs we shared on screen and off, and I’ll never forget our fun shopping spree at Joe Fresh."

Variety and Deadline both report that O'Hara died at her Los Angeles home after "a brief illness," according to her agency CAA.

Along with "Schitt's Creek," O'Hara was adored by many for her comedic turns in Christopher Guest movies "Waiting for Guffman," "For Your Consideration" and "Best in Show," as well as franchises "Beetlejuice" and "Home Alone." Last year, she was Emmy-nominated for her work in both Apple TV+ comedy "The Studio" and HBO drama "The Last of Us."

Contributing: Kelly Lawler and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY