Catherine O’Hara’s brother is opening up about the “Schitt’s Creek” star’s final days.
On Sunday’s episode of his “Dreams of Our Loved Ones” podcast, Michael P. O’Hara revealed that his sister “wasn’t talking much in the end” before her death at the age of 71 in January.
Michael explained that Catherine, who was a resident of Los Angeles, “didn’t live close by” and that she “didn’t really want to talk on the phone.” Because of that, it made the “Home Alone” star recently coming to him in a dream all the more special.
Michael explained to listeners that the vivid moment came “days or a few days before” Catherine died.
“I always cherish the times I can meet with a loved one in the dream state. And I was hugging her, which was really beautiful. And I guess it was sort of a goodbye,” he shared.
“Since then, I’ve had a lovely dream where I was visiting her, and she was in a new house and it was being renovated, and she was really busy choosing furniture and couches. And she said, ‘You can sleep here anytime, Michael. You can come over and stay any time.’”
Michael went on to say that the dream was reminiscent of a real-life memory he had, from when Catherine was in the sketch comedy ensemble “Second City Television.”
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“I was apprenticing at the Windsor Arms Hotel,” he recounted. “I would go over and sleep over at her place some nights because she had an extra bedroom. Yeah, pretty cool. But yeah, it was beautiful. She was just so happy and very busy in the other world that she’s now in, but yeah, it’s beautiful.”
Michael added, “The love, you know, continues no matter what. They’re always with us.”
As Page Six previously reported, Catherine died on Jan. 30 from a pulmonary embolism, sending shockwaves through Hollywood.
Prior to her passing, the beloved icon had starred as ousted movie producer Patty Leigh in Season 1 of “The Studio.”
Catherine was set to come back for Season 2, but ended up missing the beginning of filming just days before she died. The show’s co-creator and star, Seth Rogen, revealed last week how “The Studio” will address her tragic passing.
“If anything, we’re acknowledging the idea that we are a little anchor-less. But, honestly, that is a part of life and what we all experience,” he said in an interview with the Times.
“And so, while we try not to dwell too much on heavy themes in this show, they will be there in this second season. We are not ignoring it.”
The comedian’s co-creator, Evan Goldberg, noted that Catherine’s sudden death sent “shock waves” throughout the cast.
“It has been an unbelievable challenge. Obviously, emotionally, dealing with the loss, but also when it comes to the show itself,” he said about moving forward without the “Beetlejuice” actress.
“We wrote it for her to be there. We had it all set, and the shock waves permeated throughout the entire new season,” he added. “It’s been difficult … she was the anchor, and now the anchor is gone.”
