Steve Martin and Martin Short Honor Catherine O’Hara

Steve Martin and Martin Short publicly remembered Catherine O’Hara shortly after her passing. The two stars, known for their roles in “Only Murders in the Building,” took to the stage at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas, dressed in suits.

During their tribute, Short reflected, “Catherine O’Hara and I met when she was 18. And all these years later, she remains one of our greatest, brightest, kindest, sweetest angels.” The moment touched the audience, who responded with applause.

As the actors raised what appeared to be champagne glasses, a portrait of O’Hara was displayed behind them. Fans in the audience shared their feelings, with one commenter saying, “We love and adore her. This was touching,” while another remarked, “Catherine was a queen.” A third person added, “How lucky she was to have decades of amazing friendships with such amazing people. And conversely, how happy they were to have her in their lives.”

The beloved actress, known for her extensive work in film and television, passed away at the age of 71 at her home in Los Angeles, following a “temporary illness,” as stated by her agency, CAA. Reports indicated that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to an emergency call from her Brentwood residence around 5 a.m. on Friday. Although she was taken to the hospital in “serious” condition, the specific cause of her death remains unclear. Early details from a 911 call mentioned she was experiencing “difficulty breathing.”

Sources revealed that many of her friends were “in complete shock” regarding her passing, as they had been kept unaware of her health struggles. O’Hara is survived by her husband, Beau Welch, and their two sons.

Since her death, a number of celebrities have publicly mourned O’Hara. Seth Rogen referred to her passing as “a great loss, not just to The Studio, but to the entire world,” calling her a “legend.” Tributes poured in from cast members of “Home Alone,” including Macaulay Culkin, as well as from director Tim Burton and co-star Alec Baldwin, who celebrated her legacy as “one of the greatest.” Her “Schitt’s Creek” colleagues, including longtime friend Eugene Levy, also expressed their grief, with Levy saying, “I value our working relationship, but most of all, our friendship.”