Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress known for Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, and Best in Show, has died at the age of 71.
Catherine O’Hara passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Friday ‘following a brief illness,’ according to a statement from her agency, CAA.
The cause of death has not been released.
A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘At 4:48 am we responded to a request for medical aid to that address and transported an approximately 70-year-old female in serious condition.’
She leaves behind her husband of 30-plus years, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.
Catherine O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the Emmys in September, where she appeared frail on the red carpet.
O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress on Television for The Studio.
The ceremony saw her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin take to the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, and reflect on his role in the holiday classic.
The actress became a household name playing Macaulay Culkin’s mom in the first two Home Alone films, and she charmed audiences as the eccentric Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek.
Her comedic talent also shone in Christopher Guest’s hit mockumentaries, including Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003).
Fans also remember her unforgettable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.
A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast, helping launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis.
She became a household name playing Kevin’s mom, Kate McCallister, in the Home Alone films.
Over the past decade, she enjoyed a career resurgence with Schitt’s Creek, earning an Emmy for her role as the eccentric Moira Rose alongside longtime collaborator Eugene Levy.
In 2020, she nabbed the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role.
Her talent didn’t stop there – she also earned an Emmy nomination last year for The Studio, highlighting her versatility as both a comedic and dramatic performer.
O’Hara’s Emmy shelf was already impressive: she won in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network, and over the years racked up eight additional nominations for acting and writing.
In 2017, she was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s top honors.
In 2025, she was double-nominated, taking home recognition for her guest turn on HBO’s The Last of Us while also being honored for her comedic performance in The Studio.