Catherine O’Hara, the award-winning actor known for roles in films and TV, including Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71.
O’Hara died Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, her manager told Variety.
The two-time Emmy winner is perhaps best known for playing Kate McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, before going on to play matriarch Moira Rose on the hit TV series Schitt’s Creek.
O’Hara most recently appeared on 10 episodes of AppleTV’s The Studio and three episodes of the HBO series The Last of Us. Her work on both shows earned her Emmy nominations — the ninth and tenth of her career.
Emotional tributes have poured in from stars mourning the loss, including her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin and The Last of Us co-star Pedro Pascal.
“Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin began before adding, “But I had so much more to say.”
Pascal, meanwhile, wrote: “There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.”
Follow below for updates as tributes come in...
KEY POINTS
- Catherine O’Hara death: Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star dead at 71
- O'Hara's cause of death not yet known
- Macaulay Culkin pens emotional tribute
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pays tribute
'Schitt's Creek' co-stars say working with O'Hara was a 'magical gift'
07:59 , Kevin PerryTwo of O’Hara’s Schitt’s Creek co-stars have recalled their time working with the late star.
Karen Robinson, who played Ronnie Lee, said in a statement to USA Today: "The unmitigated good fortune of sharing space and work and laughter with the brilliance that was Catherine O'Hara is something that I will treasure forever.
"I am heartbroken for her family and all circles of her friends and loved ones. Oh Canada - what a loss. Thank you, Catherine, for everything you gave us before you left us. So much and so timeless that a part of you will always stay with us."
Jennifer Robertson, who played Jocelyn Schitt, added:
"I am deeply saddened to hear we have lost Catherine. Being in Catherine O'Hara's orbit was a beautiful, magical gift.
“She was [an] absolute star who never understood why people made such a fuss about her. Her passing is a loss for everyone who knew and loved her. My deepest condolences to Bo, her sons, and the O'Hara family."
'The Shield' star says O'Hara was 'universally loved and admired'
07:01 , Kevin PerryThe Shield star Michael Chiklis reacted to news of O’Hara’s death by writing on X: “Precious few people in this world are universally loved and admired. Catherine O'Hara was not only one of those few... she deserved it. Rest In Eternal Peace”
Christina Ricci calls O'Hara the 'most wonderful, warmest, kind, hilarious human being'
06:03 , Kevin PerryChristina Ricci and O’Hara played daughter and mother in the 2006 fantasy romantic comedy Penelope.
Ricci wrote on Instagram: “Was so lucky to work with this icon, one of my hero’s, the great Catherine O’Hara. So sad she’s gone. She was the most wonderful, warmest, kind, hilarious human being and the most talented and brilliant actress. What a loss. Rest in peace, Catherine.”
Mike Myers salutes fellow Canadian comedy icon
05:01 , Kevin PerryIn a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Wayne’s World, Austin Powers and Shrek star Mike Myers said: “It is a very sad day for comedy and for Canada.
“She was one of the greatest comedy artists in history, an inspiration for millions and above all a very elegant lady. Sending much love and condolences to her family.”
Ike Barinholtz pays his respects to his 'The Studio' co-star
04:08 , Kevin PerryIke Barinholtz worked with O’Hara during her recent Emmy-nominated run on The Studio.
He wrote on Instagram: “I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O’Hara let alone become friends with her. So profoundly sad she’s somewhere else now. So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her. Thank you Catherine I love you.”
'Home Alone' director says the film wouldn't have worked without O'Hara
03:02 , Kevin PerryChris Columbus, who directed Home Alone, has explained that the film would not have worked without O’Hara’s singular performance.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, he said: “Today we lost Catherine O’Hara. I’m stunned and heartbroken, along with the rest of the world.
“I was an obsessive fan of Catherine’s brilliant comedic work on SCTV and was thrilled when she agreed to play Kevin’s mom in Home Alone.
“What most people don’t realize is that Catherine carries the weight of 50 percent of that film. The movie simply would not work without her extraordinary performance.
“Catherine grounds the picture with a profound emotional depth. I will miss her greatly. Yet there is a small sense of comfort, realizing that two of the finest human beings I’ve ever known, Catherine and John Candy, are together again, brilliantly improvising, making each other laugh.”
Meryl Streep says O'Hara 'brought love and light to our world'
02:01 , Kevin PerryMeryl Streep and O’Hara worked together in 1988’s Heartburn, the Mike Nichols movie based on Nora Ephron’s semi-autobiographical novel.
Remembering her late co-star, Streep said in a statement to the Associated Press: “Catherine O’Hara brought love and light to our world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed... such a loss for her family and friends, and the audience she graced as friends.”
Reba McEntire remembers a 'great talent'
01:00 , Kevin PerryAlthough they never worked together, country singer and actor Reba McEntire was an avowed O’Hara fan.
She shared a photo of herself dressed as Delia Deetz on X, adding:
“Sending my thoughts to Catherine O’Hara’s family and friends today. I never had the privilege of working with her, but what a great talent. I loved her work so much that I wanted to dress up as her character from Beetlejuice a couple years ago.”
Sending my thoughts to Catherine O’Hara’s family and friends today. I never had the privilege of working with her, but what a great talent. I loved her work so much that I wanted to dress up as her character from Beetlejuice a couple years ago. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5XgFDOuRNV
— Reba McEntire (@reba) January 30, 2026
Ben Stiller says O'Hara was 'funniest ever': 'No one better'
00:18 , Kevin PerryIn a statement on X, actor and director Ben Stiller recalled the influence that watching O’Hara from the earliest days of her career had on him.
“Catherine O’Hara. My goodness. Hard to explain the impact she had on comedy. For me, no one better,” he wrote.
“She was generational. Since SCTV she has been brilliant. Brilliant, brilliant. Funniest ever. Man. We lost a great. A true great. Sending love to Bo Welch and her family. So sad we lost her incredible presence among us. Will always look up to her. Man.“
Brooke Shields fondly recalls being spoofed by O'Hara
00:04 , Kevin PerryIn her SCTV days, O’Hara portrayed Brooke Shields - and the Blue Lagoon actor enjoyed the good-natured ribbing.
“What an honor it was to be spoofed by Catherine O’Hara,” wrote Shields on X. “What an unfathomable loss. We love you, Catherine. Comedy won’t be the same without her. Sending love to Catherine’s family, friends, castmates, and fans today. Truly beloved.”
What an honor it was to be spoofed by Catherine O’Hara. What an unfathomable loss. We love you, Catherine. Comedy won’t be the same without her. Sending love to Catherine’s family, friends, castmates, and fans today. Truly beloved. pic.twitter.com/ucUYTj8zmm
— Brooke Shields (@BrookeShields) January 30, 2026
Christopher Guest says we've 'lost one of the comic giants of our age'
23:30 , Kevin PerryO’Hara did some of her best work in the comedies of Christopher Guest.
In 1996, she was part of the ensemble cast of the improvised mockumentary Waiting for Guffman.
The film, which also starred Guest, Eugene Levy, Fred Willard and Parker Posey among others, was critically acclaimed and won a cult following.
She reunited with Guest and the rest of the cast for follow-ups including Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006).
In a statement to Variety, Guest said: “I am devastated. We have lost one of the comic giants of our age. I send my love to her family.”
Guest’s Spinal Tap bandmate Michael McKean added succinctly on X: “Only one Catherine O'Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking.”
Tim Burton says O'Hara was 'a special part of my life and after life'
22:58 , Kevin PerryO’Hara famously starred in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice in 1988, and returned for the sequel to the supernatural comedy in 2024.
On Instagram, the director wrote: “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.”
Official X account of Canada mourns O'Hara
22:15 , Caitlin Hornik“Canada tips its hat (and an extravagant wig) to Catherine O’Hara,” the country’s official X account wrote in a tribute to the Toronto-born actor, complete with a meme from her Schitt’s Creek days.
“From Moira Rose’s dramatic diction to Delia Deetz’s chaotic chic and Kate McAllister’s iconic “KEVIN!”, her characters lit up our screens. Thanks for the magic, Catherine.”
Canada tips its hat (and an extravagant wig) to Catherine O’Hara. From Moira Rose’s dramatic diction to Delia Deetz’s chaotic chic and Kate McAllister’s iconic “KEVIN!”, her characters lit up our screens. Thanks for the magic, Catherine. 🇨🇦❤️ pic.twitter.com/x60Df1SJ8J
— Canada (@Canada) January 30, 2026
Richard E Grant says O'Hara's death is 'an incalculable loss'
22:09 , Kevin PerryRichard E Grant recalled working with O’Hara two decades ago, writing on Instagram: “The death of my great friend Catherine O’Hara is an incalculable loss. We played a couple in PENELOPE (2006) & instantly bonded.
“She & her husband Bo were the first people we called when we were in LA, stayed with us in the Cotswolds shared dinners in London & never stopped yakking & laughing. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew & Luke.”
Seth Rogen calls O'Hara 'hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous'
22:03 , Kevin PerrySeth Rogen cast O’Hara in a mentor role in his award-winning Hollywood satire The Studio.
On Instagram, he wrote: “Really don’t know what to say… I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen.
“Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”
Fashion designer Christian Siriano shares one of his favorite memories
21:54 , Caitlin HornikAccompanied by a carousel of images showing O’Hara in various pinstriped pantsuits, Siriano wrote: “Oh Catherine dressing you in Siriano stripes was one of my favorite memories I will never forget ever. Rest well your incredible woman.”
O'Hara was recently nominated for multiple Emmy Awards
21:46 , Caitlin HornikMost recently, O’Hara appeared on 10 episodes of AppleTV’s The Studio and three episodes of the hit HBO series The Last of Us. Her work on both shows earned her 2025 Emmy nominations — the ninth and tenth of her career.
Her last public appearance was at the 2025 Emmys.
Actor Lea Thompson calls O'Hara 'the most glorious person'
21:41 , Caitlin Hornik“I know the greats are with her now trying to pick her wonderful brain as to how she could do it all. Here on earth or hearts are a bit broken. We needed you now more than ever,” Thompson wrote in an Instagram tribute.
O'Hara's most iconic 'Schitt's Creek' moments
21:32 , Caitlin Hornik Catherine O’Hara’s most iconic Schitt’s Creek moments as beloved Moira Rose
David Furnish on O'Hara: 'I’ve loved everything she’s done'
21:26 , Caitlin HornikElton John’s longtime partner penned an emotional tribute to O’Hara on Instagram, sharing along with it a selfie with the late actor.
Amy Sedaris is 'heartbroken' by O'Hara's death
21:15 , Caitlin Hornik“Truly heart broken. Devastating. Catherine O’Hara was such an inspiration to me,” Sedaris wrote on Instagram.
“I was obsessed with her and SCTV. She could do anything. So so funny. So so original. Very very sad news. 💫💫 spirit in the sky. #catherineohara Waaaaaaaaaaawh,” she concluded.
Along with her penned tribute, Sedaris shared a clip of O’Hara and Fred Willard performing “Midnight at the Oasis” in the 1996 film, Waiting for Guffman.
Allison Janney comments on Katie Couric's tribute
21:12 , Caitlin HornikCouric shared a carousel of images of O’Hara from various points in her life, sharing her sadness over the actor’s death.
“First DK and now Catherine? Two legends!,” Janney commented with two broken heart emojis, referring to the late Diane Keaton, who died in October.
O'Hara's former co-star Michael Keaton: 'This one hurts'
21:04 , Caitlin HornikIn an Instagram tribute, Keaton wrote of their decades-long friendship: “We go back before the first Beetlejuice. 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.”
O'Hara's cause of death not known
20:54 , Caitlin HornikHer manager confirmed to Variety that O’Hara died at home in Los Angeles Friday morning following a brief illness.
A cause of death was not released.
Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen pays tribute
20:53 , Caitlin Hornik“Fell in love at first sight on SCTV and it only got stronger. Rest In Peace, Angel Catherine O’Hara,” Cohen wrote in a caption accompanying a photo of the late actor.
Justin Theroux mourns 'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' co-star
20:44 , Caitlin HornikTheroux kept his tribute short and sweet, sharing a photo of O’Hara’s director’s chair.
Hank Azaria honors former co-star
20:32 , Caitlin HornikAzaria, who worked with O’Hara on the 1999 animated film Bartok the Magnificent, called her “an inspiration to us all.”
Comedy will never be the same without Catherine O'Hara. An inspiration to us all, especially little Bartok. Sending love to Catherine's family and friends today. A profound loss. pic.twitter.com/4h98Q5VmCV
— Hank Azaria (@HankAzaria) January 30, 2026
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pays tribute
20:24 , Caitlin HornikSharing a photo from an interaction with Canadian-born O’Hara, Trudeau applauded the late actor for making “people laugh across generations.”
From SCTV to Home Alone to her unforgettable role as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, Catherine O’Hara was a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart. She made people laugh across generations and helped bring Canadian storytelling to the world in a way only she… pic.twitter.com/tO72Xy3yqp
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2026
O'Hara was last pictured in public at the September 2025 Emmy Awards
20:21 , Caitlin HornikO’Hara appeared with her longtime husband, Bo Welch, on the red carpet ahead of the 2025 Emmys, and was later seen onstage celebrating The Studio’s win for Outstanding Comedy Series.
Actor Paul Walter Hauser calls O'Hara 'my Meryl Streep'
20:12 , Caitlin Hornik“I could watch her in anything. Didn’t matter how good or bad the film or show was. I wanted to see what she would do,” he penned in an Instagram tribute to O’Hara.
Comedian and actor Kevin Nealon remembers O'Hara
20:03 , Caitlin HornikCatherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of Home Alone to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 30, 2026
Michael Bublé mourns 'rare light' O'Hara
19:55 , Caitlin HornikRemembering the “legendary artist,” Bublé wrote: “If you’re grieving this loss, you’re not alone. We’re all holding a piece of this sadness together.”
Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it.
— Michael Bublé (@MichaelBuble) January 30, 2026
Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words.
She wasn’t just a legendary artist,
actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest… pic.twitter.com/06jGk7OyCP
O'Hara met her husband on the set of 'Beetlejuice'
19:53 , Caitlin HornikO’Hara and Bo Welch — an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated production designer — met in 1988 while working on the hit film Beetlejuice. They went on to marry in 1992 and welcomed two sons, Matthew and Luke, in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Opening up about her children during a 2007 interview with the Toronto Star, O’Hara said: “They’re very funny, and we encourage it.
“The older one does Warners cartoon bits, really old-fashioned, funny vaudeville stuff. And the little one does word play.”
SAG-AFTRA honors O'Hara
19:46 , Caitlin HornikO’Hara win multiple Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards) throughout her illustrious career.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Catherine O’Hara. A beloved actor and comedian, she was a two-time Actor Award winner and a current nominee. Our condolences to her family, colleagues and legions of fans. #SagAftraMember since 1980 https://t.co/m3Z1qqvXkQ
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 30, 2026
O'Hara deemed 'authentic' and 'truthful' in touching tribute
19:39 , Caitlin HornikActor Rita Wilson penned a heartfelt tribute to O’Hara on Instagram, calling her “a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did. You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family.”
Actor Josh Gad struggling to understand O'Hara's death
19:37 , Caitlin Hornik“I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I can’t bring myself to believe she is gone,” Gad wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of O’Hara.
“Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime.
“Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs. RIP. My love and deepest condolences go out to her entire family.”
Actor-director Ron Howard calls O'Hara's death 'shatering'
19:33 , Caitlin HornikHoward and O’Hara worked together on his 1994 film The Paper.
This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family. #RIPCatherineO’Hara https://t.co/7pWcpYARai
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 30, 2026
Macaulay Culkin pens heart-wrenching tribute
19:25 , Caitlin Hornik“Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin wrote.
“I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much to say.
“I love you. I’ll see you later.”
Pedro Pascal calls O'Hara a 'genius'
19:18 , Kevin PerryO’Hara recently won acclaim for her guest appearance in a dramatic role on The Last of Us.
The show’s star Pedro Pascal shared a photograph of the pair together on Instagram with the caption: “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always. The one and ONLY Catherine O’Hara.”
Kevin Nealon says O'Hara changed how we understand 'comedy and humanity'
19:12 , Kevin PerryFormer Saturday Night Live cast member Kevin Nealon has paid his respects, writing on X: “Catherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of Home Alone to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again.“
O'Hara made final public appearance last September
19:07 , Kevin PerryO’Hara’s final public appearance came at last year’s Primetime Emmys on September 14, 2025.
She attended the event alongside her husband, production designer Bo Welch.
Welch is known for his collaborations with Tim Burton on films such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Batman Returns.
The couple met on the set of Beetlejuice in 1987.
Owner of 'Home Alone' house remembers O'Hara as 'quintessential mom'
19:03 , Kevin PerrySpeaking to The Independent before Christmas, the owner of the iconic Chicago house used to film Home Alone recalled the time O’Hara spent getting to know his own family.
“Catherine O’Hara, oh my gosh, she’s the quintessential mom,” said John Abendshien. “She took my six-year-old daughter under her wing, and those two became very close.”
Read more here:
What it was really like to live in the Home Alone house
Tom Green calls O'Hara 'one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time'
18:52 , Kevin PerryComedian Tom Green was among the first to pay tribute to O’Hara, writing on X: “I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime — from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other films and television classics.
“Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world. It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”
Catherine O'Hara's death announced by manager
18:44 , Kevin PerryThe beloved actor died Friday, January 30 her manager confirmed to Variety. A cause of death has not been reported.
Read more here:
Catherine O’Hara death: Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star dead at 71
