A towering figure in film and television comedy, Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71, according to TMZ. The outlet reports the actress passed away on Friday, citing two sources with direct knowledge. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
O’Hara was widely recognized for her ability to move effortlessly between broad comedy and emotional depth. Many viewers first connected with her as Kate McCallister, the determined mother racing across continents to reunite with her son in the first two “Home Alone” films. Decades later, she reached a new generation of fans as the eccentric and endlessly quotable Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek,” appearing in 80 episodes of the series.
Her career stretched well beyond those roles. O’Hara was a frequent collaborator in ensemble comedies, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, where her improvisational instincts and sharp timing stood out. She also appeared in both the original Beetlejuice and its recent sequel, adding to a filmography that remained active well into her later years.
Most recently, O’Hara appeared opposite Seth Rogen in the Apple TV+ series The Studio, earning another Emmy nomination. She won an Emmy Award in 2020 for “Schitt’s Creek,” following an earlier win in 1982 for her writing work on SCTV Network 90.
Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara was the sixth of seven children. She met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, while working on “Beetlejuice.” The couple married in 1992 and had two sons.
O’Hara’s legacy lives on through performances that shaped comedy for more than four decades, leaving an imprint that spans generations of audiences.
