Summary:
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Legendary actress Catherine O’Hara dies at 71, known for Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, and iconic comedy roles.
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Her career spanned five decades, earning Emmy Awards and critical acclaim, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood.
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Tributes pour in from Hollywood and beyond, remembering O’Hara’s talent, versatility, and beloved comedic legacy.
Legendary actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara has died at age 71, her manager and multiple news outlets confirmed Friday. O’Hara, whose career spanned more than five decades across television and film, passed away Friday in Los Angeles after a brief illness, according to her official biography and news reports.
O’Hara was best known for her Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Moira Rose on the acclaimed television series Schitt’s Creek and her iconic role as Kevin McCallister’s mother in the holiday classic Home Alone. She also appeared in beloved films such as Beetlejuice and a slate of Christopher Guest mockumentaries including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind.
Macaulay Culkin writes tribute to Catherine O’Hara:
“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” pic.twitter.com/p8eUtesP4q
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 30, 2026
Born March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, O’Hara first gained recognition in comedy as a performer on Second City Television (SCTV) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, where her range and comic timing quickly stood out.
Her work in Schitt’s Creek — alongside Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy — earned her some of the highest accolades of her later career, including a Primetime Emmy. O’Hara’s influence extended to animation and voice work, and she continued acting into the 2020s, earning nominations for roles in The Last of Us and The Studio.
Tributes have poured in from across Hollywood and beyond. Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin penned an emotional tribute, recalling the close bond they shared on and off set, writing, “Mama. I thought we had time.” Other collaborators and co-stars, including Pedro Pascal and members of her Schitt’s Creek family, honored her creative spirit, generosity and unparalleled comic talent.
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O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, their two sons and her extended family. Her legacy as one of the most beloved comic actors of her generation endures across multiple generations of fans.
