Catherine O'Hara, the Canadian actress whose performances brought laughter and unforgettable characters to screens around the world, has passed away at 71. Her death, confirmed by her agent, occurred at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness, ending a career that spanned over five decades of film, television and stage.
O'Hara became known for her unique blend of wit, energy and comic timing, winning the admiration of colleagues and audiences alike. Her recent roles included appearances in the HBO drama The Last of Us and the comedy series The Studio, highlighting her enduring presence in entertainment.
Her early journey began in Toronto during the 1970s, where she worked as a waitress at the Second City theatre before earning a place in its improvisation troupe.
She later joined the cast of Second City Television (SCTV), one of Canada’s most celebrated sketch shows, performing alongside Eugene Levy and the late John Candy. Her Canadian upbringing, she said, shaped her humour and perspective.
"And that's a good thing because it does make you look outside of yourself and be aware of the world and not take yourself seriously," she told Rolling Stone in 2020.
"And I think Canadians have not only a sense of humour about others but also about themselves."
O'Hara transitioned seamlessly to film, first gaining widespread attention in 1988’s Beetlejuice. Her portrayal of Delia Deetz, including a lively musical number set to Day-O (the Banana Boat song), left a lasting mark on audiences. She followed this with Home Alone in 1990, where her anguished cry of "Kevin!" became a defining moment in a holiday classic.
Macaulay Culkin, her young co-star, shared a personal tribute:
"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."
Seth Rogen and Catherine O'Hara presented an award together at the 2026 Golden Globes.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGESThroughout her career, O'Hara collaborated frequently with Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, appearing in mockumentaries such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration. Her role as Marilyn Hack in the latter earned her the 2006 National Board of Review Award for supporting actress. Guest said in a statement to Variety, "we have lost one of the comic giants of our age".
Her work in Schitt's Creek brought her to a new generation of fans, with her character Moira Rose becoming a standout for her dramatic flair, unusual accent, and sharp humour.
One of her signature lines, "Never assume, Twyla, because when you assume, it makes an ass out of... both of us," captured her character’s irreverent wit. Winning the Emmy for her role, she thanked Eugene and Dan Levy for giving her the chance to play "a woman of a certain age - my age - who gets to fully be her ridiculous self".
O'Hara continued performing in recent years, portraying a therapist in The Last of Us and studio executive Patty Leigh in The Studio. She earned a Golden Globe in 2021 for Schitt's Creek and received a nomination for The Studio this year, as well as a nod for the Actor Awards in March.
Seth Rogen paid tribute on Instagram, reflecting on her influence:
"Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it."
Judd Apatow also remembered her:
"Brilliant and kind. Riotously funny for fifty years. A really special person."
Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her siblings Michael O'Hara, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O'Hara, Tom O'Hara, and Patricia Wallice.
