Soap stars pay tribute to the late Catherine O'Hara, whose Schitt's Creek character was a former soap opera actress

Martin Short and Catherine O
Martin Short and Catherine O'Hara | Image: JPI

The late Catherine O'Hara made her mark in the world of comedy, having appeared on SCTV, Schitt's Creek, Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and, most recently, The Studio. Soap stars from your favorite shows are honoring the late funny lady, who once played a fictional soap star, on social media.

Soap stars are remembering Catherine O'Hara of Schitt's Creek fame

Mishael Morgan and Melissa Claire Egan of The Young and the Restless remember Catherine O'Hara, star of Schitt's Creek | Image: Instagram
Mishael Morgan and Melissa Claire Egan of The Young and the Restless remember Catherine O'Hara, star of Schitt's Creek | Image: Instagram

"A true Canadian icon," shared Mishael Morgan (Amanda, The Young and the Restless), who grew up in Toronto, Canada. "Rest in Power Queen." Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea, Y&R) and other stars paid tribute to O'Hara in their Instagram stories.

O'Hara's career spanned more than five decades. After starting in improv and sketch comedy, she began taking not only comedic roles, but dramatic ones as she furthered her career.

O'Hara won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards throughout her lifetime. The late actress is known to many TV fans, including soap opera devotees, for her role as Moira Rose in the Canadian sitcom, Schitt's Creek, which aired from 2015 to 2020.

O'Hara also played Patty Leigh in Apple TV's The Studio. She also guest-starred in The Last of Us as Gail Lynden. The actress received Primetime Emmy nominations for both parts.

O'Hara met her husband, Bo Welch, production designer/director, when they worked on the film Beetlejuice. The couple share two sons, Matthew and Luke.

Catherine O'Hara AKA Vivien Blake, Sunrise Bay, Schitt's Creek

O'Hara's Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek, was a former soap opera actress who brought to life the character of Vivien Blake, a beloved persona on the fictional soap (within Schitt's Creek), Sunrise Bay.

Vivien's backstory would give any classic soap opera character a run for her money. Vivien attempted to murder her father on two separate occasions. In a likely tribute to Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall, star of Days of our Lives), Vivien held the record for "the longest-running demonic possession on daytime television."'

Rose's soap pal, Clifton Sparks (Victor Garber), played the character of Trystan on Sunrise Bay. Garber played Det. Frank Minnelli on Guiding Light in 1986.

O'Hara, who had been diagnosed with dextrocardia with situs inversus, which is a condition where her heart and other internal organs are reversed from their normal positions. She passed away on January 30 at the age of 71.

Soap Central sends sincere condolences to Catherine O'Hara's family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time.

Quick Links

Edited by Michael Maloney