The cast and creators of HBO’s The Last of Us are mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, who had an emotional a guest role in Season 2 of the HBO series, in the wake of her death Friday morning at 71.
“Catherine O’Hara was not only a legend, she was one of the most decent people I’ve ever known, much less worked with. We’re all just devastated by this news. Our thoughts are with her family,” showrunner and executive producer Craig Mazin said in a statement to Deadline shortly after news broke of her passing.
In an Instagram post a short time later, Mazin reflected further on the loss of O’Hara, writing: “I think she would prefer that we keep laughing somehow, or at the very least not cry. Not possible at the moment.”
“As brutal as this feels for anyone who knew or worked with her, I know it is far more painful for her husband and sons and close family. I’m thinking about them right now too,” the post continued. “It all hurts terribly. Goodbye, you legend… you wonderful, brilliant, kind, beautiful human being. We were lucky to have had you at all.”
O’Hara appeared in Season 2 of HBO’s adaptation of the popular video game franchise as Gail, a new character created for the series. Gail is a therapist in the Jackson, Wyoming, community who treats Joel (Pedro Pascal) once he and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) settle there after the events of the first season. She is also the widow to Eugene (Joe Pantoliano), who is killed by Joel after he’s bitten by an Infected, creating a complicated relationship between therapist and patient.
In an Instagram post Friday, Pascal honored his Season 2 screen partner with a photo from set.
“Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always ♥️” he wrote. “The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara”
Deadline has reached out to several other members of The Last of Us cast and crew for comment. This post will be updated if/when others share their thoughts.
O’Hara died Friday following a brief illness, Deadline has confirmed. Among her acclaimed roles, she recently earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series for her turn in The Last of Us.
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