The actress’s manager confirmed her death on Friday, January 30.
Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed Canadian actress and comedian celebrated for a career spanning film, television and sketch comedy, has died at the age of 71.
The actress’s manager confirmed her death on Friday, January 30.
According to TMZ, no further details regarding the circumstances of her death were disclosed.
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara was raised as the sixth of seven children in a working-class family. Her father was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway, while her mother worked as a real estate agent.
Her introduction to performance came early, when she portrayed the Virgin Mary in a Nativity play, marking what would become the first step in a lifelong career in acting.
After completing high school, O’Hara joined Toronto’s famed Second City Theater, initially working as a waitress before transitioning into performance.
She later became a core member of the influential sketch comedy series “SCTV Network 90,” where her writing and performances helped shape a generation of comedy.
Her work on the show earned her an Emmy Award in 1982 for writing.
O’Hara achieved global recognition through her film roles, notably as the frantic mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in the first two Home Alone movies.
She also appeared in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including “Best in Show” released in 2000 and “A Mighty Wind” in 2003. Her film credits further included appearances in “Beetlejuice” and its later sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
On television, O’Hara reached renewed prominence for her portrayal of Moira Rose in 80 episodes of “Schitt’s Creek.” The role earned her widespread acclaim and an Emmy Award in 2020, cementing her status as one of television comedy’s most distinctive performers.
Her most recent screen work came opposite Seth Rogen in the Apple TV+ series “The Studio,” for which she received an Emmy nomination.
O’Hara’s personal life was closely intertwined with her career. She met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, on the set of the 1988 film “Beetlejuice.” The couple married in 1992 and had two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Throughout her decades-long career, Catherine O’Hara remained a defining presence in comedy, known for her versatility, sharp character work and enduring influence across film and television.