Catherine O’Hara has died: the legend of Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek
30 January 21:00
Catherine O’Hara, a renowned Canadian-American actress, screenwriter, and comedy legend, passed away at the age of 71 on Friday, January 30, 2026.
The news was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by People magazine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
O’Hara leaves behind a huge legacy — dozens of notable roles in film and television, for which she was admired by audiences and colleagues around the world.
An unforgettable career
O’Hara was one of the most famous actresses of her generation:
- She played Kevin McCallister’s mother in the first two installments of the cult franchise Home Alone.
- She rose to fame for her role as Moira Rose in the series Schitt’s Creek, for which she won an Emmy and gained a new generation of fans.
- Her notable film projects include Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, the original and new Beetlejuice, and many others.
Her career spanned more than fifty years, from an improvisational comedy troupe in Toronto to leading roles in global projects.
Latest roles and recognition
O’Gara has been nominated and awarded numerous times for her work. In addition to an Emmy for Schitt’s Creek, she previously won an Emmy for her screenwriting work on the series SCTV Network 90.
Her most recent work was a role in the Apple TV series The Studio, where she starred alongside Seth Rogen and received a new wave of recognition.
What is known about Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara is a Canadian comedy actress who gained worldwide fame for her roles in the films Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and the series Schitt’s Creek. Her career began far from the big screen.
Growing up in a family with a sense of humor
O’Hara was born and raised in Canada in a large family. She had no formal training in acting, but has repeatedly noted that her love of humor was instilled by her parents: her father loved to tell jokes, and her mother loved to imitate characters from stories. The actress also said that her Canadian background shaped her style of comedy—with self-irony and “dark humor.”
She started out as a waitress
Before her acting career, O’Hara worked as a waitress. After one of her first auditions, she was rejected with the advice to “keep working in the restaurant.” However, in 1974, she joined the Second City improvisational theater troupe in Toronto, which marked the beginning of her professional success.
A rare anatomical feature
The actress had a rare physiological feature — dextrocardia and situs inversus syndrome, in which the internal organs are mirrored. This usually does not affect the quality of life, but requires special attention in medical cases.
“New Year’s Mom” for generations of viewers
O’Hara gained worldwide fame for her role as Kate McCallister in the film Home Alone (1990). Her character, the mother of a boy who is accidentally left alone for Christmas, became one of the symbols of holiday cinema. Actor Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin, has repeatedly said that they have maintained a warm relationship, and he still jokingly calls O’Hara “mom.”
Love on the set
The actress met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, while filming Beetlejuice in 1987. According to their recollections, the film’s director, Tim Burton, played a decisive role in the development of their relationship by encouraging Welch to ask O’Hara out on a date.
The couple married in 1992 and have two sons who also work in the film industry, mainly behind the scenes. The family led a private life, rarely commenting on personal matters.
