Catherine O'Hara, the celebrated actress and comedian best known for her roles in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek," has died at the age of 71. O'Hara passed away at her home in Los Angeles on January 30, 2026, following a brief illness.
O'Hara's last public appearance was at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025. She attended the event with her husband of 33 years, production designer Bo Welch. O'Hara was a double nominee that night, for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Last of Us, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for The Studio.
O'Hara's appearance at the Emmys has sparked emotional reactions from fans in light of her passing. Some observers noted that she appeared gaunt, leading to speculation about her health. There was concern that O'Hara looked unwell, possibly hinting at a serious health issue. Social media users have revisited images from the event, expressing sadness and reflecting on her final public moments. Some fans on social media noted that O'Hara's dress strategically covered common IV access areas, leading to further speculation regarding her health.
O'Hara's final on-screen appearance was in Colin Hanks' documentary about the late comedian John Candy, entitled John Candy: I Like Me, which debuted on Prime Video on October 10, 2025. Her final appearance in a scripted role was on May 21, 2025, in the finale of the first season of The Studio, where she played the predecessor to Seth Rogen's character.
Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Catherine O'Hara's career spanned over five decades. She began her career in the 1970s with the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto, where she met Eugene Levy, her longtime collaborator and "Schitt's Creek" co-star. Together, they were part of the original cast of the sketch comedy show "SCTV," which helped launch the careers of other Canadian comedians such as Martin Short and Andrea Martin.
O'Hara's extensive filmography includes iconic roles such as Delia Deetz in "Beetlejuice" and Kate McAllister in "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York". She also frequently collaborated with Christopher Guest in mockumentary films like "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," and "A Mighty Wind". Her voice acting credits include "The Nightmare Before Christmas", "Chicken Little", and "Elemental".
Her role as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom "Schitt's Creek" (2015–2020) brought her a new wave of recognition, earning her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2017, O'Hara was appointed to the Order of Canada.
News of O'Hara's death prompted tributes from colleagues and fans. Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in "Home Alone," shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. A private celebration of life will be held by her family.
