Television and film icon Catherine O’Hara has passed away at the age of 71.
Best known for her unforgettable roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek and Beetlejuice, the beloved actress’s death was confirmed by her manager to Variety on the evening of January 30.
The Canadian-born star died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness. No further details have been released.
A Career Spanning Five Decades
O’Hara’s extraordinary career stretched across more than 50 years. She first rose to prominence on the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television, where she earned her first Emmy Award.
Over the years, she collected an impressive array of accolades, including a second Emmy, a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, and numerous other honours that reflected her versatility and lasting impact on comedy and drama alike.
Between 1996 and 2006, O’Hara became a frequent collaborator of director Christopher Guest, appearing in several of his acclaimed mockumentaries such as Best in Show and For Your Consideration.
Beyond live-action roles, she also lent her distinctive voice to animated favourites including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little and Over the Hedge.
A Late-Career Renaissance
In recent years, O’Hara enjoyed a major career resurgence. She starred opposite Seth Rogen in Apple TV’s comedy hit The Studio and appeared in HBO’s drama The Last of Us.
These roles followed her iconic portrayal of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, a performance that earned her a second Emmy Award and introduced her to a new generation of fans.
At the time of her passing, filming had recently begun on the second season of The Studio, which had just won a Golden Globe.
Speaking to LADbible about the show, O’Hara once joked about working with Rogen and never being quite sure whether he was “stoned” during production.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever worked with anyone who is more aware of everything going on on the set. [Rogen] is director, producer, star in the scene and you’re so aware, so collaborative and so loose and fun, but on the money,” she said. “It’s crazy. Really, [Rogen] is seriously impressive.”
A Lasting Home Alone Legacy
In 2023, O’Hara reunited with Macaulay Culkin when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Famous for delivering one of cinema’s most memorable cries of “KEVIN,” she spoke proudly of her on-screen son.
“Home Alone was, is and always will be a beloved global sensation … the reason families all over the world can’t let a year go by without watching and loving Home Alone together is because of Macaulay Culkin,” she said.
The two remained close friends long after the film’s release.
Family Life
Catherine O’Hara married production designer Bo Welch in 1992 after meeting him on the set of Beetlejuice. The couple shared two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Her passing marks the loss of a rare talent whose work shaped generations of comedy and film, and whose performances remain deeply woven into popular culture.