The Westminster Dog Show paid tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara during its 2026 competition in New York City. The video montage highlighted her iconic role in the comedy 'Best in Show' and was shown before the terrier group judging. O’Hara, who died on January 30 at age 71, was remembered as a comedy legend by colleagues.
Catherine O’Hara, renowned for her comedic talents, received a heartfelt tribute at the 2026 Westminster Dog Show held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event took place on Tuesday evening, February 4, following her death on January 30 at the age of 71.
The video tribute featured clips from O’Hara’s extensive career, with a particular focus on her memorable performance as Cookie Fleck in the 2000 mockumentary 'Best in Show,' directed by Christopher Guest. In the film, O’Hara portrayed the quirky Cookie alongside Eugene Levy as her husband Gerry, owners of a Norwich terrier named Winky competing in a fictional dog show. The tribute played just before the real-life judging of the terrier group, drawing a direct connection to her character's world.
Displayed on the arena’s jumbotron, the tribute included the text: “A true legend, timeless talent and icon” beside O’Hara’s name. It underscored her collaborations with Levy and Guest, including films such as 'Waiting for Guffman,' 'A Mighty Wind,' and 'For Your Consideration.' O’Hara and Levy also starred together in the sitcom 'Schitt’s Creek,' where they played the married couple Johnny and Moira Rose across six seasons.
Eugene Levy expressed his grief in a statement: “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years. 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. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke and the entire O’Hara family.”
Christopher Guest added: “I am devastated. We have lost one of the comic giants of our age. I send my love to her family.”
The tribute highlighted O’Hara’s enduring impact on comedy, bridging her fictional dog show antics with the prestigious real-world event.
