The news arrived on Friday, January 30, 2026. Catherine O'Hara passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness. She was 71. For those of us who have followed her career since the sketch comedy days of Second City Television, she was more than an actress. She was a master of the silhouette. Every character she inhabited came with a specific gait and a singular vocabulary.

The industry is reeling from the loss of a woman who bridged the gap between slapstick and high-fashion eccentricity.

Her performance as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek became a cultural touchstone for a new generation. It was a masterclass in costume as character. The wigs were not just props. They were psychological armor. O'Hara understood that fashion is often a performance. She used it to signal a character's desperation and their dignity all at once. Her voice was a curated instrument of mid-Atlantic vowels and sudden, sharp outbursts.

It was a career defined by impeccable timing and deep empathy.

Macaulay Culkin was among the first to offer a tribute. He called her Mama in a poignant Instagram post. He noted that he had so much more to say to her. Their chemistry in Home Alone grounded what could have been a simple farce. Chris Columbus noted that she carried half the film. Without her frantic, heart-wrenching journey across the country to reach her son, the movie loses its soul.

O'Hara possessed a rare ability to disappear completely.

She moved from the manic energy of Beetlejuice to the dry, improvisational brilliance of the Christopher Guest mockumentaries. In Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, she displayed a vulnerability that often went overlooked because she was so funny. She never winked at the camera. She played every absurdity with the conviction of a Shakespearean tragedy. This was her greatest gift to the craft of comedy.

She was the pinnacle of greatness to her peers.

Pedro Pascal shared a photograph from the set of The Last of Us season two. He described her as a genius. He noted that there is now less light in the world. This sentiment was echoed by Michael Keaton. He remembered her as a pretend wife and a real-life friend. Their history spanned decades. It began before the original Beetlejuice and continued through the recent sequel.

The fashion of her characters was always a deliberate choice.

Think of Delia Deetz in her sculptural black garments. Think of the feathered avant-garde looks of Moira Rose. These were not just clothes. They were statements of intent. O'Hara worked closely with designers to ensure the visual narrative matched the internal logic of the scene. She understood that a sleeve or a collar could tell a story before a single line was spoken.

The market for her talent was evergreen.

She remained relevant because she was fearless. She transitioned into the streaming era with the same grace she brought to network television. Her work in The Studio with Seth Rogen showed she had lost none of her edge. She was generous with younger actors. She listened. She accepted praise with a wit that was never dismissive but always grounded.

Canada has lost a legend.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mike Myers both noted her status as a national icon. She brought Canadian storytelling to the global stage. She did so with an elegance that was uniquely her own. Her reputation remained flawless in an industry often described as checkered. She was a professional who showed up and elevated every frame she occupied.

She was the one and only.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Catherine O’Hara die?

Catherine O’Hara passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026. She was 71 years old at the time of her death.

What was the cause of Catherine O’Hara’s death?

According to reports from her representatives, she died after a brief illness. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles.

Which roles was Catherine O’Hara most famous for?

She was widely celebrated for her role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. She also gained international fame as Kate McCallister in the Home Alone films and for her work on SCTV.

Did Catherine O’Hara win any major awards?

Yes. She was a two-time Emmy Award winner. Her accolades reflect her decades of work in both television and film.

Who has paid tribute to Catherine O’Hara?

Many stars have shared tributes, including Macaulay Culkin, Pedro Pascal, Michael Keaton, and Tim Burton. Director Ron Howard and actor Seth Rogen also released heartfelt statements.

What was her final television project?

She recently worked on the second season of The Last of Us and starred in the series The Studio. Her career remained active until her passing.

Was Catherine O’Hara married?

She was married to production designer and director Bo Welch. They met on the set of the original Beetlejuice in the late 1980s.