Catherine O’Hara, comedy icon of Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, dies at 71; Macaulay Culkin and Dan Levy lead tributes

Comedy icon Catherine O'Hara died at 71 on January 30, 2026. Hollywood mourns the Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek star as tributes pour in for her legendary 50-year career.

Catherine O'Hara in a still from Schitt's Creek

Veteran Canadian-American actor and comedian Catherine O'Hara died at her Brentwood, Los Angeles, apartment on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 71. That she passed away after a "brief illness" was confirmed by her management company, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Emergency responders summoned her residence before daybreak due to reports of respiratory issues. She was sent to a nearby hospital in a critical state, where she was later pronounced dead. Medical professionals have not connected her previously revealed congenital ailment, dextrocardia with situs inversus, to her death, but the public is focusing on it. No official cause of death has been announced.

Which iconic roles defined Catherine O'Hara's 50-year career?

O'Hara began her 50-year career in the 1970s with the Toronto comedy group Second City and continued with the sketch show SCTV that followed. Kate McCallister, the protagonist of the Home Alone films (1990, 1992), catapulted her to international stardom. She has worked with Christopher Guest on several occasions in mockumentaries like Best in Show and A Mighty Wind and her resume features memorable parts in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1988) and its 2024 sequel. Her portrayal as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt's Creek brought a tremendous boom to her career in recent years; she was honoured with two Golden Globes and an Emmy for her work. She was last seen in Season 2 of The Last of Us and The Studio on Apple TV+.

A tremendous outpouring of sadness and reverence ensued in the entertainment industry in response to the news.

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How did Catherine O'Hara's closest colleagues and friends pay tribute?

Macaulay Culkin wrote about his "Mama" in an emotional Instagram post for his Home Alone co-star. He wrote, "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."

O'Hara's Beetlejuice co-star Michael Keaton noted the depth of their friendship, stating, "She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real-life, true friend. This one hurts. Man, am I gonna miss her."

Her long-time collaborators on SCTV and Schitt's Creek Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, were devastated. Dan praised her "unmatched kindness and genius" for redefining comedy for a generation.

Working with her on The Last of Us not long ago, Pedro Pascal remarked, "Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you."

Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who co-starred with O'Hara in Heartburn used the actor's portrayal of quirky characters as an opportunity to showcase her "whip-smart compassion" and praise her "love and light" energy.

Christopher Guest expressed deep personal sadness when he referred to her as one of the "comic giants of our age".

Her The Studio co-star, Seth Rogen, went on to say that his time spent working with her was a "true honour" and that Home Alone was the film that made him want to enter the film industry.

What is Catherine O'Hara's lasting legacy?

Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. The details of the memorial service remain undisclosed. The North American comedy scene has lost a major star with a legacy that spans both traditional sketch comedy and contemporary television satire with her untimely demise.

Catherine O'Hara FAQs:

Q: What was Catherine O'Hara's cause of death?

A: Catherine O'Hara's management agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), stated that she passed away following a "brief illness." While an official medical cause of death has not been publicly released, reports indicate she was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in serious condition early Friday morning after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Q: How old was Catherine O'Hara when she died?

A: Catherine O'Hara was 71 years old. She was born on March 4, 1954, and passed away on January 30, 2026.

Q: Did Catherine O'Hara have a heart condition?

A: Catherine O'Hara lived with a rare congenital condition known as dextrocardia with situs inversus, where the heart and other major organs are located in a mirror-image position (on the right side of the body).

Q: What was Catherine O'Hara's final role?

A: At the time of her death, Catherine O'Hara was enjoying a prolific period in her career. Her final performances included a guest role in Season 2 of HBO's The Last of Us and a starring role in the Apple TV+ satire series The Studio alongside Seth Rogen.

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