Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Canadian-American actress, comedian, and screenwriter, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. O'Hara, whose career spanned over five decades, died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
O'Hara's agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), confirmed the news, stating that she passed away at her home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call for medical assistance at her residence at 4:48 a.m. on January 30, and she was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition. According to 911 dispatch audio, O'Hara was experiencing "breathing difficulty". The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
News of O'Hara's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans, and admirers across the globe. Macaulay Culkin, who played her on-screen son Kevin McCallister in the "Home Alone" films, shared a touching message on Instagram: "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". Culkin and O'Hara shared a special bond that continued over the years. In December 2023, O'Hara honored Culkin at his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony, praising his "sweet, yet twisted, yet totally relatable sense of humor".
Michael Keaton, who starred alongside O'Hara in "Beetlejuice" and its sequel, "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice," posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. "We go back before the first 'Beetlejuice,'" Keaton wrote. "She's been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her. Thinking about Beau as well". Keaton and O'Hara also co-starred in "The Paper" and "Game 6". Tim Burton, the director of "Beetlejuice," shared a photo from the set of the sequel, writing, "Catherine, I love you. This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us. You were a special part of my life and after life".
Bollywood celebrities also mourned O'Hara's passing, with many sharing tributes on social media. Kareena Kapoor Khan wrote, "Catherine O'Hara forever," while Alia Bhatt posted a picture of the actress with a heartbreak emoji. Parineeti Chopra remembered her as Mrs. Rose, writing, "Heaven just found their newest leading lady," a reference to her iconic "Schitt's Creek" character. Ileana D'Cruz called O'Hara "inimitable" and described the loss as "deeply personal" and "heart-wrenching".
Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, Catherine Anne O'Hara began her career in sketch comedy with Second City Television (SCTV) in the 1970s. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her writing contributions to "SCTV Network 90" in 1982. O'Hara gained further acclaim for her roles in films such as "After Hours," "Heartburn," "Home Alone," and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York". She frequently collaborated with director Christopher Guest on mockumentary films like "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," and "A Mighty Wind". Her voice roles included films like "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Chicken Little," and "Frankenweenie".
O'Hara experienced a career resurgence with her role as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom "Schitt's Creek" (2015–2020). She earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for her performance. O'Hara was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017.
O'Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, whom she met on the set of "Beetlejuice," and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
