Catherine O’Hara, star of ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ dies at 71

Catherine O’Hara, Beloved Star of ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ Dies at 71

Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed Canadian actress and comedian whose career spanned five decades and included iconic roles in “Home Alone,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Beetlejuice,” died Friday at the age of 71. Her manager confirmed the news to Variety after TMZ first reported her passing.variety

According to Rolling Stone, O’Hara died at her Los Angeles home following a short illness. No other details about the cause of death have been disclosed. She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.tmz

A Career Defined by Versatility

O’Hara’s journey began in the 1970s with Toronto’s Second City comedy troupe, where she performed alongside future collaborators Eugene Levy and John Candy. After working as a waitress at the theater, she auditioned for the company and joined in 1974 despite initially being told to keep her day job.fox13news

Her work on the sketch series “SCTV” from 1976 to 1984 earned her an Emmy Award for writing in 1982 and established her reputation for sharp character work and celebrity impressions. Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” in 1988 marked her Hollywood breakthrough, followed by her beloved turn as Kate McCallister in “Home Alone” (1990) and its sequel.people

O’Hara became a fixture in Christopher Guest’s mockumentary films, including “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show,” and “A Mighty Wind.” Her career experienced a resurgence with “Schitt’s Creek” (2015-2020), where she portrayed the flamboyant former soap star Moira Rose opposite longtime friend Eugene Levy, earning an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award.scrippsnews

Recent Work and Recognition

O’Hara remained active until her death. She appeared in Apple TV+’s “The Studio” alongside Seth Rogen, which premiered in March 2025, and guest-starred as Gail, a therapist who treats Joel, in the second season of HBO’s “The Last of Us.” Both performances earned Emmy nominations in 2025—for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, respectively.wikipedia

In September 2025, O’Hara was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Levy presented the award and praised their decades-long friendship. She received the Order of Canada in 2017, one of the nation’s highest distinctions.ctvnews

“When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you,” Levy said to O’Hara during the TIFF tribute ceremony.youtube