By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada 2/2/2026
Catherine O’Hara, the award-winning Canadian-American actress and comedian known for her unforgettable roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek, and more, has died at the age of 71 after a brief illness. She passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles.
Born March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, O’Hara grew up in a large family where humour was a part of daily life. She got her start in comedy in the 1970s with The Second City improv troupe in Toronto, quickly gaining recognition for her sharp wit and character work.
Her breakthrough came as a key performer on the Canadian sketch show SCTV, where she created memorable characters and helped establish a fresh voice in comedy. She also won her first Primetime Emmy Award in 1982 for writing on the series.
O’Hara’s film career took off in the 1980s with supporting roles in films such as After Hours (1985) and Heartburn (1986). In 1988, she delivered a standout performance as the eccentric Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, a role that introduced her to global audiences.
She became a household name in 1990 when she starred as Kate McCallister, the loving yet frazzled mother in the holiday classic Home Alone and its 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Her warm, comedic performance helped make the films enduring favourites around the world.
In the 1990s and 2000s O’Hara continued to work in both film and television, including roles in Christopher Guest’s mockumentary comedies such as Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. She also lent her voice to beloved animated films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie.
A Second Career as Moira Rose
O’Hara experienced a major resurgence later in life with her role as Moira Rose on the critically acclaimed sitcom Schitt’s Creek, created by Eugene and Dan Levy. Her performance as the eccentric, over-the-top matriarch earned her an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, and introduced her to a new generation of fans.
She continued working into her seventies with acclaimed appearances in the Apple TV+ comedy The Studio and a guest role in HBO’s The Last of Us, both of which earned her Emmy nominations.
Tributes and Legacy
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and fans around the world. Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin honoured her as “Mama,” reflecting on their decades-long connection. Other stars, including Pedro Pascal, Alec Baldwin, and Jenna Ortega, shared memories of her kindness and talent.
Saturday Night Live paid tribute during its January 31 episode, despite O’Hara never appearing as a cast member; she had briefly been hired in the early 1980s before choosing to stay with SCTV.
Personal Life
O’Hara met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, on the set of Beetlejuice and the couple married in 1992. They have two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Catherine O’Hara’s career spanned more than five decades and multiple generations of audiences. From improv stages in Toronto to iconic film and television roles around the world, she is remembered as a singular comedic talent who brought joy and laughter to millions.
