LOS ANGELES – A report circulating Friday says the entertainment community has lost one of its most recognizable comedy talents. Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice, and many other fan favorites, was reportedly 71.
According to the report, O’Hara’s representatives said she died on Friday, January 30, 2026, at her home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles after a brief illness. The statement did not share the cause. The report also says her family asked for privacy.
It also claims emergency responders were called to her home on January 30, with no additional details shared publicly.
Catherine O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario. The report describes her as the second youngest of seven children in an Irish Catholic family. Her father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and her mother worked in real estate.
She found her voice early, especially through improv. That skill stayed with her for decades.
Breakthrough on SCTV
Catherine O’Hara started her career with The Second City in Toronto. She worked alongside future stars like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Martin Short. That path led to a major break on the Canadian sketch series SCTV (Second City Television) in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
On SCTV, she played a wide range of strange, funny characters. She stood out for sharp timing, physical comedy, and characters that felt oddly real, even when they were over the top.
A Go-To Performer in Christopher Guest Comedies
In film, Catherine O’Hara became a regular in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries. The report highlights titles like:
- Waiting for Guffman (1996)
- Best in Show (2000)
- A Mighty Wind (2003)
- For Your Consideration (2006)
Her roles often blended confidence, delusion, and heart, sometimes all in the same scene. Fans and fellow actors have long pointed to her improv instincts as the reason those performances landed so well.
The Role Millions Remember: Kate McCallister in Home Alone
For many viewers, O’Hara will always be Kevin McCallister’s mom. In Home Alone (1990), directed by Chris Columbus, she played Kate McCallister, a mom in full panic after realizing her son was left behind during a family trip.
She returned as Kate in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). The films still show up on holiday watchlists every year, and her performance is a big reason the story holds up.
Moira Rose and the Schitt’s Creek Era
In 2015, O’Hara took on Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy. Moira is a former soap star dropped into a small town, and O’Hara played her with big emotions, odd phrasing, and very bold style choices.
The role brought her a Primetime Emmy in 2020 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The show’s final season became a major awards moment, and it introduced O’Hara to a whole new group of fans.
Other Standout Work, Beetlejuice and More
Catherine O’Hara’s film and TV work went far beyond her best-known hits. She played Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988), a role many fans still quote. She also appeared in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and took on voice roles, including The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Even when she did drama, she kept a grounded touch that made the moment feel human.
Known for Improv, Kindness, and Making Scenes Better
People who worked with Catherine O’Hara often praised her for two things: how quick she was and how generous she was. She could heighten a scene without taking it over. She also had a way of making the wildest character choices feel honest.
The report says tributes arrived quickly after the news spread. Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son in Home Alone, reportedly called her “the heart of our family on screen.” Eugene Levy described her as an “irreplaceable talent” and a longtime creative partner. Dan Levy also shared a message, crediting Catherine O’Hara’s larger-than-life presence for why Moira Rose felt so unforgettable.
Other names mentioned in the report include Seth Rogen, Pedro Pascal, and Martin Short, with posts that focused on her humor, warmth, and impact.
Fans also shared favorite clips across social media, from Kate McCallister racing through airports to Moira Rose’s dramatic entrances and exits.
Catherine O’Hara’s Family, Honors, and Legacy
The report states that Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons. It also notes she was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017 for her work in the arts.
According to the report, her family asked that, in place of flowers, donations be made to arts education programs in Canada or to comedy scholarships.
For many viewers, Catherine O’Hara’s work is comfort viewing. She could play frantic, tender, weird, and sharp, sometimes in the same line. If the report is accurate, her absence will be felt, but her performances will keep finding new audiences for years to come.
