Catherine O’Hara, iconic comedic actress known for “Home Alone” and “Schitt’s Creek,” has died at 71 after a brief illness, her rep confirms.
Catherine O’Hara, the versatile and deeply loved comic actress who starred in classic films and hit TV shows, died Friday at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. She was 71, her representatives at CAA confirmed.
Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara began her career on stage and quickly became a standout performer in Canada’s famed Second City comedy troupe. She was just 20 when she joined Second City as an understudy to Gilda Radner, stepping into the spotlight when Radner left for Saturday Night Live.
From there, she became a key member of the original SCTV cast — a group of young comedians who would change comedy and launch major careers. Alongside talents like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis, O’Hara helped build SCTV into a cult favorite that eventually aired on NBC in the United States.
Her rich career spanned decades, with roles that displayed her fearless comedic timing and range. O’Hara earned her first Emmy in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network, and she would go on to receive multiple nominations for both acting and writing throughout her career.
O’Hara reached a new generation of fans with her performance as Kate McCallister in the timeless holiday hit Home Alone and its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
As Kevin’s determined mother racing back from Paris to rescue her son, she delivered a performance full of heart and humor that remains beloved each holiday season.
She also brought memorable life to characters in films like Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, where she played the eccentric Delia Deetz — a role she revisited in the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Her work with director Christopher Guest in movies such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration delighted audiences and critics alike.
In recent years, O’Hara became a cultural force with Schitt’s Creek, co-created by longtime friend Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy. Her portrayal of Moira Rose, a former soap star facing life’s unexpected changes, won her a 2020 Emmy and helped the show sweep major comedy categories.
The series became a streaming sensation and introduced her brilliance to even wider audiences.
Just last year, she earned an Emmy nomination for her role in HBO’s The Last of Us and for her work in The Studio, proving her talent remained as vital as ever.
Catherine O’Hara’s legacy will live on through her unforgettable characters, her gifts as a performer, and the joy she brought to fans around the world.
PHOTO CREDIT: Social media
