Bob Balaban, who co-starred with Catherine O’Hara in four Christopher Guest films, lovingly remembered the late actress, noting that her Canadian roots influenced her thoughtfulness.
“Catherine O’Hara possessed an extraordinary kindness that I think many Canadians possess,” Ms. Balaban, 80, wrote in an exclusive statement to Page Six. “She also had the crazy talent that so many Canadian comedians have, like Eugene Levy, Marty Short, and John Candy.”
The “Close Encounters” actor joked that he believes the Canadian comedian’s “extraordinary kindness” and “glumness” stem from “having to wear a woolen hat with earflaps for many months of the year.”
They both starred in “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show,” “A Mighty Wind,” and “For Your Convention.”
Balaban went on to praise O’Hara’s poker smarts and humility.
“Catherine was as intelligent as can be, but she was never flamboyant,” he writes. “And she used the material effortlessly and creatively. She had a great generosity, which she often used to enhance the performances of other actors.”
“And you have to love someone who apologizes after losing a big poker game.”
Guest also told Page Six, “I am devastated. We have lost one of the comic book giants of our generation. I send my love to her family.”
Many of O’Hara’s co-stars, including his son Macaulay Culkin from “Home Alone,” mourned O’Hara’s untimely death.
Culkin shared two photos of the couple hugging each other, taken decades apart.
“Mom, I thought there was still time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in the chair next to you. I heard you,” she captioned part of the photo.
The “Schitt’s Creek” star died Friday at the age of 71 after a brief illness.
The Los Angeles Fire Department exclusively said they were called to her home at 4:48 a.m. local time and then transported her to the hospital in “serious” condition.
O’Hara’s last public appearance was at Apple TV+’s Primetime Emmy Party last September.
She attended the star-studded party with her husband Beau Welch, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated production designer.
She is survived by Welch and two sons.
