Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated actress who passed away on January 30th, leaves behind a legacy not only in her iconic roles but also in the quiet achievements of her two sons. Matthew, 31, and Luke, 29, have both established themselves in the entertainment industry, working behind the scenes on notable productions while largely avoiding the spotlight their mother commanded.
Following in Their Parents’ Footsteps
O’Hara and her husband, Bo Welch (an Oscar-nominated production designer), deliberately kept their children out of the public eye during their upbringing. Despite this, both sons pursued careers in film and television, choosing roles that allow them to contribute to the creative process without seeking celebrity status.
In a 2020 Vanity Fair interview, O’Hara shared that both Matthew and Luke worked on the critically acclaimed series Schitt’s Creek, where she played the unforgettable Moira Rose. One son worked as a set dresser, responsible for arranging objects on set to create the desired aesthetic, while the other specialized in set construction, building the physical environments for filming.
Working on High-Profile Projects
More recently, one of O’Hara’s sons found work on the HBO hit The Last of Us. The actress confirmed this during a February 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, revealing that he currently works as a set dresser on the show. She will also appear in Season 2 of the series.
This quiet success story highlights a trend in Hollywood: the children of famous actors often choose to work behind the camera, leveraging their industry connections and upbringing to build careers without seeking the same level of public recognition as their parents.
The O’Hara sons demonstrate that a path to success in entertainment doesn’t always require center stage. Instead, they’ve found fulfillment in supporting the creative visions of others, contributing to the shows and films that captivate audiences worldwide.
Their choice is a testament to the power of talent, dedication, and a desire to forge their own identities within a notoriously demanding industry.
