Reese Witherspoon is mourning his death Penelope to cost Catherine O’Hara.
“I am so saddened by the passing of Catherine O’Hara,” Witherspoon, 49, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Saturday, January 31. “Catherine was an inspiration to me. I worked with her on a film called Penelope in 2006, and his creativity was limitless.”
Witherspoon continued, “She never ceased to amaze me with his generosity towards his fellow actors and filmmakers. She was as warm and lovely in real life as she is in the film – pure delight.”
Witherspoon further said that O’Hara’s “legacy will live on” through her extensive and beloved screen roles, as well as her family.
Catherine O’Hara’s death at the age of 71 has rocked the celebrity world, with many of her former colleagues and friends reacting to the tragic news. O’Hara died on Friday, January 30 at her home in Los Angeles “after a brief illness,” according to a statement from her agency, Creative Artists Agency. The legendary actress was known (…)
“I know he’s making all the angels laugh 🕊” Witherspoon concluded.
Us Weekly confirmed on Friday January 30 that O’Hara died at the age of 71.
“Prolific multi-award winning actress, writer and comedian Catherine O’Hara died today at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness,” O’Hara’s agency, Creative Artists Agency, said in a statement. “The family will hold a private celebration of life.”
O’Hara was known for her roles in some of Hollywood’s most iconic movies and TV shows, including Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek, The Studio i Penelope. The 2006 comedy features Penelope Wilhern (Cristina Ricci) as a young socialite born with a pig’s snout as a nose after a family curse. The only way to break the curse is by loving someone of “her own kind,” which her family interprets as marrying another socialite.
Reese Witherspoon and Christina Ricci in ‘Penelope’.
IFC Films/courtesy Everett CollectionO’Hara portrayed Penelope’s mother alongside other cast members James McAvoy, Peter Dinklage, Simon Woods i Richard E. Grant. Witherspoon, meanwhile, played Annie, a new friend of Penelope.
“She was great. I love her so much. I’ve always been a huge fan of hers and she was always everyone’s first choice in this movie,” Ricci, now 45, said. collider in 2008 to act alongside O’Hara. “She’s hysterical and finally one day Simon (Woods) and I got up the courage to tell her all the things we loved about her. She’s such a lovely person so it was very kind.”
According to Ricci, she picked up a lot of acting tips from her on-screen mother.
“It encouraged us to be more spontaneous and not worry about being called out if we make something up,” added Ricci.
Ricci also offered an emotional tribute on social media following O’Hara’s death.
“I was lucky enough to work with this icon, one of my heroes, the great Catherine O’Hara,” Ricci wrote via Instagram on friday “So sad she’s gone. She was the most wonderful, warm, kind and funny human being and the most talented and brilliant actress. What a loss. Rest in peace, Catherine.”
Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant in ‘Penelope’.
IFC Films/courtesy Everett CollectionO’Hara is survived by her husband, Good Welchand the couple’s two children.
“They’re a lot of fun, and we encourage it,” O’Hara previously said Toronto star in 2007 of his children. “I’m proud to say we all make each other laugh. In my house, growing up. I learned that from my parents. They kept us laughing until the end, God bless them. How great?”