Catherine O'Hara, beloved for her portrayal of Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, has died, leaving a profound void in comedy and the entertainment industry. A 2020 interview with O'Hara and Eugene Levy highlights her creative process behind the iconic character. The loss is described as devastating and shocking.
Catherine O'Hara's passing has elicited widespread mourning in Hollywood, with tributes and career retrospectives emerging quickly. A poignant reflection comes from a February 28, 2020, lunch interview at the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, where O'Hara and longtime collaborator Eugene Levy discussed the creation of Schitt's Creek.
The series, which swept the Emmy comedy categories in 2020, featured O'Hara as the eccentric Moira Rose, a role conceived specifically for her by Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy. Recalling the initial outreach, O'Hara noted her reluctance for a summer shoot due to family time at her Canadian cottage. Levy adjusted to a spring schedule after her feedback.
O'Hara arrived prepared with visual inspirations, including photos of socialite Daphne Guinness, which Dan Levy documented rapidly. Developing Moira's distinctive voice and accent proved challenging to convey via email, but once performed, Levy called it 'Unreal.' O'Hara credited her collaborators, saying, 'You have to work with lovely, smart, talented people who allow you to sound like an alien.'
The cast chemistry clicked immediately during the pilot filming. O'Hara praised Dan Levy and Annie Murphy's portrayals of siblings David and Alexis, quoting a memorable scene: 'You get murdered first!' followed by her channeling Moira with 'Bébés to us!'
Their decades-long partnership, including past projects, informed the show's success. O'Hara playfully dismissed Emmy talk during the interview, insisting, 'Don't suck us into the game! We were in 'For Your Consideration!'' She also defined Moira's phrase 'callipygian ass' as meaning 'having firm, round buttocks.'
The interview extended beyond questions, with O'Hara and Levy continuing to chat and laugh at the valet stand afterward. Her death underscores the privilege of such moments, as Levy and O'Hara shared insights into a character that brought joy to audiences worldwide.
