Catherine O’Hara Remembered After Sudden Death At 71

The world of comedy and film is mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the legendary Canadian-American actress whose distinctive wit and warmth made her a household name across generations. O’Hara, best known for her iconic roles as Kate McCallister in the Home Alone films and the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her passing was confirmed by her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which stated that she died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness. Paramedics were called to her Brentwood residence at around 4:48 a.m. for a medical aid call, as reported by BollywoodShaadis. Dispatch audio indicated she was experiencing difficulty breathing. She was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition and passed away several hours later. As of press time, the official cause of death has not been released.

O’Hara’s death has left her family, friends, and legions of fans heartbroken. Tributes have poured in from all corners of the entertainment world, reflecting the profound impact she had both on and off the screen. Pedro Pascal, her co-star from HBO’s The Last of Us, captured the sentiment of many when he posted on Instagram, “There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.” Macaulay Culkin, who played her onscreen son in Home Alone, shared a particularly moving message: “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.” According to Parade, Culkin and O’Hara maintained a close, mother-son relationship off set, a bond that endured for decades.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1954, Catherine O’Hara began her career at Toronto’s Second City troupe in 1974, quickly establishing herself as a force in comedy. She was a founding writer and performer on the influential sketch show SCTV, earning her first Emmy in 1982 for her work on the series. Her breakthrough in Hollywood came with her role as Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988), a part she reprised in the 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. But it was her portrayal of the frantic, loving mother in Home Alone (1990–1992) that cemented her as America’s favorite movie mom. In recent years, her performance as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek earned her two Emmy Awards and a new generation of devoted fans. Shortly before her death, she received additional Emmy nominations for The Studio and The Last of Us Season 2, according to BollywoodShaadis.

Behind the scenes, O’Hara’s life was defined by a deep commitment to family. She was married to Bo Welch, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated production designer and director, from April 25, 1992, until her death. The couple’s love story began on the set of Beetlejuice in 1987, where Welch was serving as production designer. In a 2015 Uproxx interview, Welch recalled, “It didn’t even occur to me that I was even supposed to talk to actors. But since Tim [Burton] told me to, I did, and then we dated and we’re married and here we are today.” O’Hara echoed the sentiment on the Kelly Clarkson Show in February 2024, describing their early courtship as feeling like high school: “He was talking to me every day. It was like high school. … I [was] grousing to Tim Burton, and he said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’”

Together, O’Hara and Welch raised two sons, Matthew and Luke. Matthew, born in 1994, and Luke, born in 1997, both followed their parents into the entertainment industry, though they chose to work behind the scenes. According to BollywoodShaadis and Parade, Matthew and Luke were involved in set design and construction, contributing as a set dresser and set constructor on Schitt’s Creek. Luke, based in Vancouver, also worked as a set dresser on HBO’s The Last of Us, collaborating with his mother during her time on the show. O’Hara was always proud of her sons’ comedic talents, telling the Toronto Star in 2007, “They’re very funny, and we encourage it… I’m proud to say, we all make each other laugh.” She further explained, “The older one does Warners cartoon bits, really old-fashioned, cheap-a– funny vaudeville stuff. And the little one does word play.”

Despite their parents’ fame, Matthew and Luke Welch have led notably private lives, rarely appearing at public events or on social media. O’Hara and Welch were protective of their sons’ privacy, with Matthew’s only red carpet appearances coming as a baby at the opening party for Tim Burton’s photo exhibit in October 1994 and, later, alongside Luke at the Cat in the Hat premiere in November 2003. According to BollywoodShaadis, there is no public information available regarding the brothers’ relationship or marital status, only their professions and their close relationship with their late mother.

O’Hara’s family ties extended beyond her immediate household. Her sister, Mary Margaret O’Hara, is a celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for her 1988 album Miss America. The sisters shared a creative bond, and Mary Margaret famously sang at the funeral of beloved Canadian comedian John Candy, a close friend of Catherine’s, as reported by Parade. For those wondering, O’Hara was not related to Irish-American actress Maureen O’Hara, despite the shared surname.

Throughout her life, O’Hara maintained a reputation for humility and humor. She often credited her comedic sensibility to her upbringing, telling the Toronto Star that laughter was a cherished family value: “In my home, growing up, I learned that from my parents. They made each other laugh to the end, God bless ‘em. How great is that?”

O’Hara’s influence on film, television, and comedy is undeniable. Her ability to blend satire with sincerity made her performances both memorable and deeply human. As tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, friends, and fans, it’s clear that Catherine O’Hara’s legacy will endure. Her family, including husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew and Luke, now carry forward the laughter and love she so generously shared with the world.

As Hollywood and her global fanbase say goodbye, Catherine O’Hara is remembered not just for her legendary roles, but for the joy and authenticity she brought to every aspect of her life—on screen and at home.