Catherine O’Hara, the incredible Canadian performer who could land a punchline and quietly break hearts at the same time, has passed away. Ms. O’Hara, best known for her work on SCTV, her scene-stealing appearances in “Home Alone” and “Beetlejuice,” and her Emmy-winning career resurgence as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, died on Friday, and her representative confirmed the news. She was 71 years old.
what was reported about her death
No official cause of death has been announced, with her agency, Creative Artists Agency, saying only that O’Hara passed away on Friday “after a short illness.”
O’Hara was taken to a Los Angeles hospital in “serious” condition after paramedics responded to a call for medical help at his Brentwood home at 4:48 a.m. Friday, Page Six reported, citing a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. The outlet reported that she later died at the hospital. TMZ also reported on the emergency call, saying audio of the call showed she was having trouble breathing before she was taken to the hospital.
Page Six also noted that O’Hara lived with inversus, a rare condition in which internal organs are located on the opposite side of the body from what is typical. Although this condition is often considered harmless, diagnosis can be complicated because symptoms can vary.
Comic original from Toronto
O’Hara was born and raised in Toronto and had an early start in the city’s comedy scene, joining Second City at the age of 20. She started as a replacement for Gilda Radner and later joined the main cast when Radner left for the original Saturday Night Live ensemble.
That path led to SCTV, an influential sketch series that helped shape a generation of comedy talent. O’Hara was part of an initial lineup that included John Candy, Eugene Levy, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Harold Ramis, and Dave Thomas, and was joined midway through the show by Rick Moranis and Martin Short. The troupe was also more than just performers. They were also writers, building a world of characters and faux programming that still feels oddly modern.
From Home Alone to Beetlejuice, Christopher Guest’s flagship and Emmy-winning late bloomer
For many audiences, O’Hara will forever be Kate McAllister, the desperate mother rushing back to her son in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. She also had a memorable role as Delia Dietz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, a role she reprized decades later in 2024’s Beetlejuice.
She became a beloved fixture in Christopher Guest’s films, appearing in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. Across those projects, she had rare skills. It’s that I’ve been able to do a wide range of activities without ever losing the human truth beneath the jokes.
Over the past decade, O’Hara has found a whole new wave of fans as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, earning her an Emmy Award (along with her previous Emmy for SCTV Network) for her performance in 2020. She also received multiple additional nominations in the acting and writing categories, including recent awards for her work on HBO’s The Last of Us and Apple TV’s The Studio.
O’Hara is survived by her husband Beau Welch, sons Matthew and Luke, and brothers.
Condolences are pouring in
“Mom, I thought I had time,” Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin posted on Instagram. “I wanted more. I wanted to sit in the chair next to you. I could hear your voice. But there was so much I wanted to say. I love you. I’ll see you again.”
Chris Columbus, director of Home Alone, said: “Today, we lost Catherine O’Hara. I, like the rest of the world, am stunned and heartbroken… She will be sorely missed. But there is some small comfort in knowing that Catherine and John Candy, two of the most wonderful human beings I have ever known, are together again, improvising brilliantly and making each other laugh.”
Seth Rogen wrote, “I really don’t know what to say… When I first met O’Hara, I told her I thought she was the funniest person I had ever had the pleasure of seeing on screen… It was an absolute honor to work with her. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, and generous… She made us want our show to be worthy of her presence.”
Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton shares: “She was my play wife, play enemy, and true friend in real life. This hurts. I’m going to miss her.”
“Katherine, we love you,” Beetlejuice director Tim Burton said. “You were a special part of my life and the rest of my life.”
“Oh genius, for being around. I’m forever grateful,” Pedro Pascal, who collaborated with O’Hara on The Last of Us, posted. “There is little light in my world, but this lucky world where you are, will always protect you. Always ♥️”
“I am completely devastated to hear of the passing of this great woman today,” Bryan Cranston, who worked with O’Hara many times over the years, posted. “She was amazing and seemed like fun. I remember all the years of laughing out loud watching what she did on screen…I have to because all I can do right now is cry. I miss you. May you make them laugh in heaven.”
