Michael Keaton Pens Catherine O'Hara Tribute After 'Beetle Juice' Star's Death: 'This One Hurts'

Michael Keaton wrote a touching tribute to Catherine O’Hara in the wake of his Beetlejuice costar’s death at 71.

On Friday, Jan. 30, the iconic actress died after being rushed to the hospital. A cause of death has not been revealed, as of writing.

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As the shocking news spread, Keaton, 74, took to Instagram with a photo of himself and O’Hara.

“We go back before the first Beetlejuice,” he wrote of the 1988 film. “She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend.”

To conclude his short but impactful post, Keaton confessed, “This one hurts. Man, am I gonna miss her. Thinking about Beau as well.”

O’Hara played Delia in Beetlejuice (1988) and its sequel, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (2024), while Keaton played the titular character in both films. After that, they starred in the 1994 film, The Paper, with O’Hara playing Susan and Keaton playing Henry. In 2005, Keaton and O’Hara reunited again for the movie Game 6, this time playing a married couple, Nicky and Lillian, respectively.

In the comments, Keaton’s followers joined him in mourning O’Hara’s unexpected death. Josh Gad wrote, “I’m so truly sorry.”

Another fan shared, “She will be missed, Michael. I grew up watching her on the big and small screen. Especially Beetlejuice and Home Alone. It still hurts to hear the news of her passing. 😔🙏🙏🙏.”

Someone else commented, “An enormous loss for the many to whom she brought joy 💔.”

A different Instagram user pointed out, “She lives forever in our hearts every time we rewatch Home Alone or Beetlejuice 🥹.”

Meanwhile, yet another fan wrote, “❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 she was a real one. The world just got a little dimmer. I’m so sorry for your loss, good sir.”

In addition to Beetlejuice, O’Hara was best known for her role as Kevin’s (Macaulay Culkin) mom, Kate McCallister in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. She also starred in films like Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), For Your Consideration (2006), Frankenweenie (2012), and more.

O’Hara leaves behind a husband, Bo Welch, and two sons, Matthew Welch and Luke Welch.

Next: Catherine O’Hara’s Final Interview Before Her Death Reflected on Her Comedy Icon Legacy