Catherine O'Hara, Home Alone and Schitt's Creek Star, Dies at 71

Beloved Actress Catherine O'Hara Passes Away After Brief Illness

Catherine O'Hara, the acclaimed Canadian-American actress known for her iconic roles in Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, has died at age 71. Her agent confirmed she passed away at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness, though the exact cause was not disclosed.

A Career Spanning Five Decades

O'Hara's career began fifty years ago on the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV), where she not only performed but also wrote, earning her first Emmy Award. She transitioned to Hollywood with roles in films like After Hours (1985) and Heartburn (1986), but achieved worldwide fame in 1990 when she played Kate McCallister, the mother of Macaulay Culkin's character, in the first two Home Alone films.

In a 2024 interview with People magazine, O'Hara reflected on the experience: 'All those kids who played our children were just wonderful. It's a perfect movie, isn't it?'

Schitt's Creek and Career Resurgence

O'Hara experienced a career renaissance with her role as the eccentric Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek, which became a global phenomenon after streaming on Netflix. Her performance earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020.

She once explained her selective approach to roles in an interview with People: 'I read scripts and a gut feeling determines if I want to be part of it. I'd rather stay home than do something I know is bad and have to defend it later.'

Heartfelt Tributes Pour In

Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in Home Alone, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram: 'Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted to sit next to you on a chair. I heard you, but I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later.'

According to CNN, tributes have flooded in from across the entertainment industry, with colleagues remembering her as both a brilliant comedic talent and a generous collaborator.

Legacy and Personal Life

O'Hara's career included notable voice work in animated films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and collaborations with director Christopher Guest in mockumentaries such as Best in Show. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her contributions to the arts.

She was married to production designer Bo Welch, with whom she had two children. Her Wikipedia entry notes she was born in Toronto on March 4, 1954, and her films grossed over $4.3 billion worldwide.

The entertainment world mourns the loss of a versatile performer whose characters brought laughter to millions across generations.