Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy: A Tearful Reunion at TIFF Awards
TURF WARS: CATHERINE O'HARA'S OSCAR BID AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL GETS A BOOST FROM EUGENE LEVY
The Toronto International Film Festival Awards took center stage on Sunday night, with a slew of stars in attendance, but none shone brighter than Catherine O'Hara. The 71-year-old actress was honored with the prestigious Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award, and we have all the juicy deets!
O'Hara's longtime collaborator, Eugene Levy (78), presented her with the golden memento, and let's just say it was an emotional moment for both of them. "Eugene, that's too much," Catherine said, visibly moved, as she accepted the award. But what made this moment even sweeter was the fact that these two comedy legends have been working together since the 1970s!
Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and it all started with their stint in the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television back in the day. From there, they went on to star in a string of iconic comedies together, including Waiting For Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). It's no wonder that Eugene Levy was the perfect person to present Catherine with this award!
But what really got our hearts racing was when Catherine took the stage for her acceptance speech. She looked stunning in a champagne-colored gown with black floral embroidery, paired with a chic bob and thick-framed eyeglasses – talk about serving up old-school Hollywood glamour!
With a wink to the audience, she began by thanking the Toronto International Film Festival (formerly known as the Festival of Festivals), which has been around for 50 years. "From trying to weasel my way into the parties of yours 50 years ago to this? Thank you," she said with a laugh, showcasing her signature wit.
But it wasn't all fun and games – Catherine also took a moment to pay tribute to the award's namesake, Norman Jewison, calling him "a delightful man" who "cared deeply about the stories he told." According to online interviews, both O'Hara and Jewson share a common Toronto heritage and were trained at the CBC. Talk about serendipity!
Other notable honorees included Channing Tatum (45) and Idris Elba (53). Tatum received the Performer Award for his outstanding work in Roofman, which he premiered on Saturday with co-star Kirsten Dunst (43). We're not surprised – we've all been obsessed with Tatum's Magic Mike moves, but it turns out even he gets starstruck around Dunst! "I couldn't imagine doing what she did in that film at the age," he said of her 1994 vampire flick Interview with the Vampire. Talk about a compliment!
But things got really real when Idris Elba took the stage to accept his Impact Media honor. With empathy at its core, he acknowledged the pain the world is feeling right now – a poignant reminder that even in the midst of glitz and glamour, we're all human beings.
"We don’t really want to talk about it at a celebration of our industry," Elba said, "but it's essential to acknowledge the pain the world is feeling altogether... We close our eyes at night, we feel that pain because we’re empaths."
And finally, with this delightful mix of old-school Hollywood magic and modern-day relevance, we have to ask: what more could you want from an awards show? The glamour, the talent, the heartfelt moments – it's no wonder the Toronto International Film Festival Awards stole our hearts this year!
