Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed actress known for her iconic roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, passed away on Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 71 following a brief illness.
Her family, including husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29, announced plans for a private celebration of life. The intimate memorial will honor the life of the beloved comedian and performer.
Medical Emergency and Hospitalization
O’Hara experienced a medical emergency at her Brentwood home early Friday morning. First responders arrived around 5 a.m. after reports of difficulty breathing. She was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
An LAFD spokesperson confirmed: ‘At 4:48 a.m., we responded to a request for medical aid at that address and transported an approximately 70-year-old female in serious condition.’
The cause of death remains undisclosed at this time. O’Hara leaves behind her husband of more than 30 years, Bo Welch, a production designer, and their two sons.
Absence from Recent Awards and Tributes
O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for her work in The Studio. During the event, her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin presented an award and reflected on their shared holiday classic.
Following news of her passing, Culkin shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. He posted a split image from Home Alone and their 2023 reunion at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, captioning it: ‘Mama. 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. I’ll see you later.’
Pedro Pascal, who co-starred with O’Hara in season two of HBO’s The Last of Us, expressed his grief on social media: ‘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.’
Justin Theroux, her co-star in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared a photo of her on-set chair, writing: ‘Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.’
Filmmaker Ron Howard, who collaborated with O’Hara on the 1994 film The Paper, described the news as ‘shattering.’ He added: ‘What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her, and she only grew more brilliant each year. My heart goes out to Bo and family.’
Career Highlights and Legacy
Just weeks before her death, O’Hara reunited with longtime collaborator Eugene Levy at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where she received the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award. Levy presented the honor, prompting an emotional response from O’Hara.
‘Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling,’ she said. In her acceptance speech, she reflected: ‘Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.’
A Toronto native, O’Hara began her career as a cast member on the legendary sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV) in the 1970s, alongside talents like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis.
She gained widespread recognition as Kevin’s mother in the first two Home Alone films. Her role as the eccentric Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek marked a major resurgence, earning her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020.
O’Hara’s film credits include memorable performances in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988) and Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries such as Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). She also co-starred with Levy in Waiting for Guffman (1996).
Her accolades include two Emmy wins—one in 1982 for SCTV Network and another in 2020 for Schitt’s Creek—plus eight nominations for acting and writing. In 2017, she was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2025, she earned dual nominations for The Last of Us and The Studio.
