Catherine O'Hara Dead at 71: 'Home Alone' and 'Schitt's Creek' Icon Dies After Brief Illness
- Jan 31
- 2 min read
Catherine O'Hara, the beloved Canadian actress who brought unforgettable characters to life in "Home Alone," "Beetlejuice," and "Schitt's Creek," died Friday morning at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness.
She was 71 years old. Her agency, CAA, confirmed the news, while the Los Angeles Fire Department reported responding to a medical emergency at O'Hara's Brentwood address at 4:48 a.m., transporting an approximately 70-year-old woman in serious condition to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulty.
A Six-Decade Career Defined by Absurdist Brilliance
O'Hara's extraordinary career spanned over 50 years, beginning with Toronto's Second City Theatre in 1974 where she understudied for Gilda Radner. She gained fame as a writer and performer on "SCTV" (1976-1984), winning an Emmy for outstanding writing. Her breakthrough film role came in Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" (1988) as the eccentric artist Delia Deetz, followed by her iconic portrayal of frantic mother Kate McCallister in "Home Alone" (1990) alongside Macaulay Culkin, a role that defined a generation's Christmas viewing.
Moira Rose: The Role That Brought Emmy Glory
O'Hara experienced a career resurgence playing the magnificently vain Moira Rose in CBC's "Schitt's Creek" (2015-2020), a performance that earned her the 2020 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, plus a Golden Globe and SAG Award. Her portrayal of the former soap opera star with an inexplicable accent and outrageous wigs became a cultural phenomenon, introducing O'Hara to a new generation of fans. She reunited with frequent collaborator Eugene Levy for the show, which swept the Emmys in its final season.
Hollywood Mourns a Comedy Legend
Macaulay Culkin posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute to his on-screen mother: "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later." Pedro Pascal, her "Last of Us" co-star, wrote: "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." Her recent Emmy-nominated work included HBO's "The Last of Us" and Apple TV+'s "The Studio" with Seth Rogen.
Remembering catherine o’hara 's Versatile Talent
Born March 4, 1954, in Toronto as the sixth of seven children, O'Hara brought her improvisational genius to Christopher Guest mockumentaries "Best in Show" (2000) and "A Mighty Wind" (2003), and voiced beloved animated characters including Sally in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993). She married production designer Bo Welch in 1992 after meeting on the "Beetlejuice" set, and they raised two sons, Matthew and Luke. O'Hara was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 and maintained dual citizenship throughout her life.
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