The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Catherine O'Hara, the celebrated actress known for her comedic brilliance in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek," who passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. News of her death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and colleagues alike, including a particularly poignant message from Macaulay Culkin, who shared a special bond with O'Hara after she played his mother in the beloved "Home Alone" films.
Culkin took to Instagram to express his sorrow, writing, "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later". He also shared a photo of him and O'Hara from the end of the original "Home Alone," alongside a more recent picture of them recreating the same pose. The heartfelt tribute underscores the deep connection they maintained off-screen, with Culkin affectionately referring to O'Hara as "mom" in real life.
O'Hara's manager confirmed her death to Variety, noting that she had been suffering from a brief illness. While the specific cause of death has not been officially released, reports indicate that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency at her home on Friday morning and transported her to a local hospital.
Catherine O'Hara's career spanned over five decades, marked by her versatility and comedic timing. Born in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 1954, she began her career in sketch comedy, gaining prominence on the Canadian sketch show "Second City Television" (SCTV) in the 1970s. She transitioned to film in the 1980s, appearing in movies such as "After Hours," "Beetlejuice," and, most notably, "Home Alone" and its sequel. Her portrayal of Kevin McCallister's mother in the "Home Alone" franchise cemented her place in cinematic history, with her memorable comedic moments becoming iconic. In 2024, O'Hara reflected on her experience in "Home Alone" to People, calling it "a perfect movie" and praising the child actors who played her children in the film.
O'Hara enjoyed a career resurgence in recent years for her role as Moira Rose in the critically acclaimed CBC sitcom "Schitt's Creek," from 2015 to 2020. Her performance earned her widespread acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In addition to her live-action work, O'Hara lent her voice to numerous animated films, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Chicken Little," and "Elemental". She also reprised her role as Delia Deetz in the "Beetlejuice" sequel, which was released in 2024.
Catherine O'Hara was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 and was named honorary mayor of Brentwood, Los Angeles, in 2021. She maintained a close friendship with Culkin and attended his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2024. She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
O'Hara's death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and comedians. Kevin Nealon lauded O'Hara for changing "how so many of us understand comedy and humanity," while Canadian actor Tom Green described her as a "Canadian comedy legend". Pedro Pascal, who worked with O'Hara on "The Last of Us," shared a photo of them on set, expressing his gratitude for her genius and noting that "there is less light in my world".
