Catheline O'hara with Macaulay Kulcin in the 1999 film, Home Alone
Actress Catherine O’Hara, known worldwide for her unforgettable performances in film and television — including roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone and Beetlejuice — has died at age 71, her management confirmed Friday. Her career, spanning more than five decades, made her one of the most respected and beloved figures in comedy and entertainment.
Catherine O’Hara’s passing was announced by her representative and reported by multiple major outlets, with her manager confirming her death at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness.
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara first emerged as a gifted performer in sketch and improv comedy, gaining early recognition with the influential Canadian series Second City Television (SCTV).
She went on to appear in numerous films that became cultural touchstones. Her role as the frantic yet devoted mother Kate McCallister in the first two Home Alone films endeared her to audiences around the world, while her performance as the eccentric Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice added a cult classic to her resume.
O’Hara’s collaborations with director Christopher Guest produced a string of memorable mockumentary comedies, including Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind.
But it was television that brought O’Hara perhaps her most recent and widespread acclaim. As Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, she earned the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020, a performance that touched both critics and fans alike.
In the later years of her career, O’Hara continued to work prolifically. She earned additional Emmy nominations for roles in the Apple TV+ series The Studio and HBO’s The Last of Us, showcasing her range across genres well into her 70s.
Her last public appearance took place in September 2025 at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, where she was photographed alongside castmates and celebrated for her work in television just months before her death.
Tributes from across the entertainment world poured in following the announcement of her death. Actor Pedro Pascal, who worked with O’Hara on The Last of Us, honored her as a “genius,” expressing deep gratitude for her influence and artistry.
Colleagues, co-stars, and creatives remembered her not only for her comedic gifts but also for her generosity, warmth, and the profound joy she brought to audiences over multiple generations.
Throughout her career, O’Hara earned acclaim for her wit, versatility, and the authenticity she brought to every role. Beyond her screen performances, she contributed to shaping comedy itself — influencing countless performers who followed.
O’Hara married production designer Bo Welch in 1992, whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice. The couple raised two sons together.
