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Catherine O’Hara, the cherished actress celebrated for her roles in “Schitt’s Creek,” “Home Alone,” and “Best in Show,” has passed away at 71 years old.
The Canadian star died at her Los Angeles residence on Friday, following a brief illness, according to a statement from her agency, CAA. While the exact cause of her death has not been disclosed, her sudden departure has left fans and colleagues mourning.
Emergency services were called to O’Hara’s home in the early hours of the morning. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to the Daily Mail that they responded to a medical aid request at 4:48 am and transported a woman in serious condition, approximately 70 years of age, to a local hospital.
As news of her passing spread, the Daily Mail has reached out to her representatives for further comments. O’Hara’s talent and comedic genius were evident across her extensive career, leaving a lasting imprint on the entertainment industry.
She is survived by her husband of over three decades, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29, who now navigate life without their beloved wife and mother.
O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the Emmys in September, where she appeared frail on the red carpet.
Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress known for Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, and Best in Show, has died at the age of 71; (O’Hara pictured at her last public appearance at Emmys in September 2025)
O’Hara passed away at her home in Los Angeleson Friday ‘following a brief illness,’ according to a statement from her agency CAA; (O’Hara as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek)
The Hollywood icon passed away Friday, January 30, 2026, sources with direct knowledge told TMZ; (pictured with Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone )
O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress on Television for The Studio.
The ceremony saw her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin take to the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, and reflect on his role in the holiday classic.
Just a week before her startling appearance at the 2025 Emmys in September, O’Hara reunited with longtime collaborator Levy as she was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
She was clearly emotional as Levy handed her the golden award, leading to a heartfelt acceptance speech.
‘Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling,’ she said after his introduction.
The star continued, ‘Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.’
Their on-screen partnership stretches back to the 1970s, when they first shared the screen on Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television.
They went on to co-star in the 1996 comedy-musical Waiting for Guffman, which Levy co-wrote with Christopher Guest, and later in the 2000 dog show satire Best in Show, playing Gerry and Cookie Fleck.
Fans also remember her unforgettable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice; (pictured with Geena Davis in 1988)
A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast, helping launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis; (pictured 1981)
O’Hara met production designer Bo Welch on the set of Beetlejuice; they married in 1992 and had two sons, Matthew (born 1994) and Luke (born 1997); (pictured with Welch in 1990)
O’Hara and Levy continued their collaboration in 2003 with the mockumentary A Mighty Wind, centered on a fictional folk music reunion, and again in 2006 with For Your Consideration, a Hollywood spoof where O’Hara played an actress and Levy her co-star’s agent.
The actress became a household name playing Culkin’s mom in the first two Home Alone films, and she charmed audiences as the eccentric Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek.
Her comedic talent also shone in Christopher Guest’s hit mockumentaries, including Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003).
Fans also remember her unforgettable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.
A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast, helping launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis.
She became a household name playing Kevin’s mom, Kate McCallister, in the Home Alone films.
Over the past decade, she enjoyed a career resurgence with Schitt’s Creek, earning an Emmy for her role as the eccentric Moira Rose alongside longtime collaborator Eugene Levy.
In 2020, she nabbed the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role.
Her talent didn’t stop there – she also earned an Emmy nomination last year for The Studio, highlighting her versatility as both a comedic and dramatic performer.
Culkin enjoyed a sweet reunion with his Home Alone mom O’Hara as she introduced him at his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in 2023
O’Hara’s Emmy shelf was already impressive: she won in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network, and over the years racked up eight additional nominations for acting and writing.
In 2017, she was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s top honors.
In 2025, she was double-nominated, taking home recognition for her guest turn on HBO’s The Last of Us while also being honored for her comedic performance in The Studio