Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for comedic roles across the decades, from Kevin’s beleaguered mother in Home Alone to Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, has died aged 71.
Canadian-born O’Hara died at her home in Los Angeles “following a brief illness”, according to a statement from her agency, CAA. Further details were not immediately available.
O’Hara was an alumnus of Toronto’s Second City Theatre and was one of the creators of the sketch comedy show SCTV.
Her career was launched at Second City in the 1970s. It was there that she first worked with Eugene Levy, who would become a lifelong collaborator — and her Schitt’s Creek co-star.
Schitt’s Creek ran for six seasons from 2015-2020 and also starred Canadian actress Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire and Noah Reid.
Dan Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy, and Eugene Levy from Schitt’s Creek
Described as a reversal-of-fortunes story, it follows the once-wealthy Rose family who are forced to move to the fictional town of Schitt’s Creek – which they once purchased as a joke – after they lose everything.
Daniel and Eugene starred as father and son duo David and Johnny Rose on screen while Murphy starred as ditzy daughter Alexis Rose, alongside family matriarch and fallen actress, Moira Rose.
O’Hara had recently been seen in the award-winning comedy series The Studio
O’Hara’s dramatic turn in HBO’s The Last Of Us earned her an Emmy nomination, as did her recent role as a Hollywood producer in The Studio.
Actor Macaulay Culkin led the tributes to O’Hara, who starred as his mother in Home Alone.
In an Instagram post, Culkin said: “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.”
O’Hara played Culkin’s mother Kate in the 1990 classic Christmas movie Home Alone, in which he starred as enterprising youngster Kevin McCallister, who pits his wits against two bumbling intruders after his family accidentally go on holiday without him.
Culkin reprised the role in 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, with O’Hara also starring again.
Actor Pedro Pascal, who starred alongside O’Hara on the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us paid tribute to his co-star on social media.
“Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always,” he wrote, with a heart emoji.
He concluded the post: “The one and ONLY Catherine O’Hara”, accompanying the words with a picture of the two of them embracing.
Justin Theroux, who starred alongside O’Hara in the 2024 film Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, shared an image of the star’s chair on set with her name on it and said she will be “so missed”.
Comedian Tom Green, best known for Road Trip and The Tom Green Show, hailed O’Hara for being a “comedy legend” and said “she’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime”.
I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime — from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other… pic.twitter.com/ZRHKYRjEDS
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) January 30, 2026
O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew and Luke.