Catherine O’Hara was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival Awards on Sunday night.
The award was presented to the 71-year-old longtime actress by her former Schitt’s Creek co-star Eugene Levy, 78.
She was visibly moved as Levy handed the golden memento to her before she made a moving acceptance speech.
‘Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling,’ she said after the actor’s introduction.
The Home Alone celebrity expressed, ‘Darling Eugene. Reflecting on my happiest times in this show business journey, I realize most of them have been with you.’
Their collaboration dates back to the 70s when they shared the screen in the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television.
Catherine O’Hara was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival Awards on Sunday night
The award was presented to the 71-year-old longtime actress by her former Schitt’s Creek co-star Eugene Levy, 78
They went on to star in the 1996 comedy-musical Waiting For Guffman, which Levy co-wrote with Christopher Guest.
In the 2000 dog show satire Best in Show, they played the couple Gerry and Cookie Fleck.
2003 saw the dynamic duo appear alongside each other in the mockumentary A Mighty Wind, centered around a fictional folk music reunion concert.
In 2006, they reunited for another mockumentary, For Your Consideration, which parodied Hollywood, with O’Hara portraying an actress and Levy playing her fictional co-star’s agent.
Catherine arrived to Sunday’s event in a long-sleeved champagne-colored gown with black floral embroidery throughout.
Her blonde hair was styled in a chic bob and she wore thick, black-framed eyeglasses as she delivered her thank you speech.
‘Thank you Toronto International Film Festival, formerly Festival of Festivals,’ she began.
‘From trying to weasel my way into the parties of yours 50 years ago to this? Thank you,’ she said, making the audience laugh.
She was visibly moved as Levy handed the golden memento to her before she made a moving acceptance speech
After Eugene’s introduction, she responded, ‘Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling.’ She continued, ‘Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.’
Catherine arrived in a long-sleeved champagne-colored gown with black floral embroidery throughout
O’Hara also spoke about the award’s inspiration, Norman Jewson, describing him as ‘a delightful man’ who ‘deeply cared about the stories he told,’ based on her online research.
O’Hara then highlighted parallels between her and the filmmaker, noting their mutual Toronto heritage and both having trained with the CBC.
Other honorees included at the awards ceremony were Channing Tatum and Idris Elba.
Tatum, 45, received the Performer Award while Elba, 53, took home the Impact Media honor.
Empathy was at the heart of Elba’s acceptance speech.
Deadline reported him stating, ‘Even though it might not seem fitting at a celebration of our industry, it’s vital to recognize the collective pain the world is experiencing. This sorrow stays with us — filmmakers or event sponsors alike — because as human beings, empathy is inherent.’
Idris Elba, 53, took home the Impact Media honor
Empathy was at the heart of Elba’s acceptance speech
Channing Tatum posed alongside Roofman co-star Kirsten Dunst
Dunst, 43, wowed in a semi-sheer white frock with off-the-shoulder sleeves
Tatum, 45, received the TIFF Tribute Performer Award
Meanwhile, Tatum took the stage in an all-black suit and black turtleneck after premiering his new film Roofman with co-star Kirsten Dunst, 43.
At Saturday’s premiere he told People that he’s long been a fan of Dunst’s and that his favorite movie of hers is 1994’s Interview with the Vampire.
‘I couldn’t imagine doing what she did in that film at the age,’ he said. ‘Everything she’s ever done, I’ve been obsessed with.’
And the Magic Mike sensation admitted, ‘I was so intimidated to work with her — and when I say intimidated, I was afraid.’
He explained, ‘I just wanted her to like me. I was like, “Please like me!”‘
