Catherine O’Hara Passes Away at 71
Emmy-winning actress Catherine O’Hara, celebrated for her roles in Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, has passed away at the age of 71. Her management agency announced the news on Friday, January 30. The Canadian performer, known for her versatile career in comedy and film, also appeared in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and the recent Apple TV+ series The Studio.
A representative from her manager Marc Gurvitz’s office confirmed the details but provided no additional information on the cause of death.
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara began her journey in entertainment at the renowned Second City comedy theater. There, she first collaborated with Eugene Levy, a partnership that spanned decades and included the hit series Schitt’s Creek.
Her entry into film arrived in 1980 with Double Negative, featuring Levy and John Candy. In 1988, she portrayed Winona Ryder’s stepmother in Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton. O’Hara later married the film’s production designer, Bo Welch, and they raised two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Iconic Family Comedy and Lasting Impact
O’Hara gained worldwide recognition in 1990 as the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in Home Alone. In a 2024 interview, she reflected on the film, stating, “It’s a perfect movie, isn’t it? You want to be part of something good, and that’s how you go.”
She reprised the role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which included a brief appearance by Donald Trump years before his presidency. In 1993, O’Hara reunited with Burton for The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Schitt’s Creek Legacy and Awards
Modern fans remember O’Hara most for her portrayal of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, created by Dan Levy, son of Eugene Levy. Speaking about shifting fan interactions, she once noted, “I used to mostly get people named Kevin who’d come up to me and ask me to yell ‘Kevin!’ in their faces.” She added, “Now it’s mostly about Moira and Schitt’s Creek. I’ve never gotten this kind of attention in my life. It’s crazy.”
For her performance, O’Hara earned an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020, along with a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Tributes from Hollywood
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from colleagues. Macaulay Culkin shared his grief on Instagram, posting a photo from Home Alone and writing, “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.”
