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

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed actor and comedian whose career stretched from cult sketch comedy to Emmy-winning television, has died at the age of 71. Her manager confirmed her death to Variety.

O’Hara died on Friday, January 30, at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, according to her representatives.

Over a career that spanned more than 50 years, O’Hara became one of the most recognizable and respected figures in comedy, earning praise for her sharp improvisation, eccentric characters and emotional depth across film and television.

From Canadian sketch comedy to Hollywood

O’Hara first rose to prominence as part of the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV), where her work helped define the show’s offbeat, character-driven style.

Her performances earned her early industry recognition, including her first Emmy Award.

From there, O’Hara transitioned seamlessly into film, appearing in a wide range of projects that showcased both her comedic and dramatic range.

She starred in films such as 'After Hours' and 'Beetlejuice', before becoming a household name to a new generation as the frantic yet devoted mother in the first two 'Home Alone' movies.

In those films, she played Kate McCallister, the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin. O’Hara remained close to Culkin in the years that followed and later honored him at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.

One of the most enduring creative chapters of O’Hara’s career came through her long-standing collaboration with filmmaker Christopher Guest.

She appeared in several of his mockumentary-style films, including 'Waiting for Guffman', 'Best in Show', 'A Mighty Wind' and 'For Your Consideration'.

Her performances in those films, often improvised and deeply character-driven, cemented her reputation as one of the most skilled comedic actors of her generation.

In addition to her on-screen work, O’Hara lent her voice to animated projects that became family favorites, including 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'Chicken Little'.

Late-career renaissance with 'Schitt’s Creek'

O’Hara experienced a major career resurgence in her 60s with her role as Moira Rose on the CBC comedy 'Schitt’s Creek'.

Starring alongside Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy, O’Hara’s portrayal of the eccentric, fallen socialite became one of the show’s most celebrated elements.

The role earned her a second Emmy Award and introduced her work to an entirely new audience.

Following the success of 'Schitt’s Creek', O’Hara went on to appear in high-profile television projects, including HBO’s 'The Last of Us' and Apple TV’s 'The Studio'. In 'The Studio', she played a veteran Hollywood executive sidelined by her own company. The second season of the Seth Rogen-led series recently began filming.