Catherine O’Hara, the beloved character actor and comedian whose work spanned more than five decades across film, television and voice acting, died Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness. She was 71. Her manager confirmed her death to Variety.
Born in Toronto Canada, O’Hara rose to prominence as part of the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television, where she earned her first Emmy Award and helped define a generation of character-driven comedy. She went on to build an enduring Hollywood career with roles in films such as After Hours, Beetlejuice and the first two Home Alone movies, playing Kate McCallister, the frantic but devoted mother of Kevin McCallister.
O’Hara maintained a close friendship with her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin and honored him during his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.
She was also a frequent collaborator with filmmaker Christopher Guest, appearing in his acclaimed mockumentaries including Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration. Her versatility extended to voice acting with roles in The Nightmare Before Christmas and Chicken Little.
O’Hara experienced a career renaissance in her 60s as Moira Rose on the CBC sitcom Schitt’s Creek, earning her second Emmy Award and renewed acclaim. The role led to later appearances in HBO’s The Last of Us and Apple TV’s The Studio. Her recent film work included Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Argylle.
Raised in a Catholic family as the sixth of seven children, O’Hara spoke openly at times about her faith and worldview. In a 1983 interview with Rolling Stone, she described herself as “a good Catholic girl at heart.”
“I believe in family. I also have a basic belief that God takes care of me. I believe in prayer, even though I’m not that religious. I just have that foundation from my family. I mean, when you think that you’re just a human being and one of God’s creatures, you can’t take anything that seriously,” O’Hara said.
Though born in Canada, O’Hara became a deeply admired figure in Los Angeles and was named honorary mayor of Brentwood in 2021. Her legacy endures through a body of work marked by warmth sharp wit and a humanity that resonated across generations. As friends, fans and colleagues mourn her passing, many are also lifting her loved ones in prayer, asking for comfort, peace and strength for her family during this season of loss.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
