Catherine O’Hara Dies At 71 Leaving Hollywood In Mourning

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved Canadian comedic actress whose career spanned five decades and brought joy to millions, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her death, confirmed by her agent and reported by multiple outlets including BBC and ABC News, occurred at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. Details surrounding the cause of her death remain unclear, though the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to ABC News that paramedics responded to a 4:48 a.m. medical aid call at her Brentwood residence, and she was transported to a hospital in serious condition before passing away.

O’Hara’s passing has left the entertainment world in mourning, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, fans, and those who knew her best. Macaulay Culkin, who played her on-screen son Kevin McCallister in the holiday classic "Home Alone," shared a poignant tribute on Instagram. Posting side-by-side photos of O’Hara embracing him as a child on set and again at his 2024 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Culkin wrote, “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you.” Their close relationship endured long after the cameras stopped rolling. At Culkin’s Walk of Fame ceremony, O’Hara moved both to tears with her words: “Home Alone was, is, and always will be a global sensation. But it is Macaulay’s perfect performance as Kevin McCallister that gave us that little every boy on an extraordinary adventure. I know you worked really hard. I know you did. But you made acting look like the most natural thing in the world to do.”

Born Catherine Anne O’Hara on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, she was the sixth of seven children in a lively Irish-Canadian family. She launched her career in 1974, joining the Canadian television sketch comedy show "Second City Television" (SCTV) after replacing Gilda Radner. According to the official SCTV website, O’Hara’s comedic prowess quickly became apparent as she impersonated stars like Meryl Streep and Lucille Ball, created original characters such as Lola Heatherton and Dusty Towne, and contributed as a writer. Her work on SCTV earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding writing in 1982, setting the stage for a remarkable journey in entertainment.

Her early collaborations with fellow Canadian talents John Candy, Joe Flaherty, and Eugene Levy blossomed into lifelong friendships and creative partnerships. O’Hara’s move to film brought her international acclaim with her role as the eccentric Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s 1988 hit "Beetlejuice." Her comedic timing and unique delivery made Delia a standout character, and she reprised the role in 2024’s "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," joining original cast members Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, as well as Jenna Ortega.

In 1990, O’Hara immortalized the role of Kate McCallister, the frantic yet loving mother in "Home Alone" and its sequel. Her frantic cry of “KEVIN!” became a pop culture touchstone, and her warm, humorous portrayal provided the emotional heart of the films. Chris Columbus, director of "Home Alone," told CNN, “What most people don’t realize is that Catherine carries the weight of 50% of that film. The movie simply would not work without her extraordinary performance.” He added, “I will miss her greatly. Yet there is a small sense of comfort, realizing that two of the finest human beings I’ve ever known, Catherine and John Candy, are together again, brilliantly improvising, making each other laugh.”

O’Hara’s voice work further demonstrated her range. She was the voice of Sally in Tim Burton’s cult favorite "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), Tina in Disney’s "Chicken Little" (2005), Mrs. Walters in "Monster House" (2006), and Mrs. Frankenstein in "Frankenweenie" (2012). Her ability to bring animated characters to life endeared her to new generations of fans.

The late 2010s brought a renaissance for O’Hara with her role as Moira Rose in the Canadian comedy series "Schitt’s Creek." The show, which gained global popularity during the COVID lockdown, followed the wealthy Rose family as they adjusted to losing their fortune and moving to a small town. O’Hara’s Moira, with her wild accent, extravagant wardrobe, and unforgettable one-liners, quickly became a fan favorite. She won a Primetime Emmy in 2020 and a Golden Globe in 2021 for the role. During her Emmy acceptance speech, she thanked co-creators Eugene and Dan Levy for “bestowing me the opportunity to play a woman of a certain age, my age, who gets to fully be her ridiculous self.”

Her creative energy never waned. In "The Studio," O’Hara played Patty Leigh, a fallen executive, earning both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. She also appeared as Gail Lynden in HBO’s "The Last of Us" in 2025, again receiving Emmy recognition. Pedro Pascal, her co-star, called her a “genius” and added in his tribute, “There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.”

O’Hara’s personal life was as rich as her professional one. She married Oscar-nominated production designer Bo Welch in 1992, after meeting him on the set of "Beetlejuice." In a 2018 interview with InStyle, she recalled, “That’s where I met my husband! He designed the sets, so I have nothing but fond memories of that movie.” The couple had two sons, Matthew and Luke. In a reflective interview with Elle Canada in 2024, O’Hara shared her philosophy on aging and creativity: “When [you turn] 70…imagine that you’re going to live a minimum of another 20 years. What are you going to do with those years? If you look at it that way, you look at it as a challenge. Like, instead of ‘Oh no, I’m going to downsize’ or ‘I’m going to slow down,’ imagine that you are going to live to 90. What are you going to do?” She concluded, “You look forward. I’m lucky [I get] to keep doing things like this at my age -- I can’t believe it.”

Colleagues and friends alike remembered O’Hara as a wonderful person, artist, and collaborator. Christopher Guest, director of "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind," said, “We have lost one of the comic giants of our age.” Her agency, CAA, announced that a private celebration of life would be held by her family.

Catherine O’Hara’s legacy is one of laughter, warmth, and unforgettable characters. Her work will continue to inspire actors and bring joy to audiences for generations to come.