Catherine O’Hara, beloved Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek star, dies at 71

Award-winning actress Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71, according to a statement from her talent agency. The beloved performer passed away Friday at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness.

O’Hara built a career defined by razor-sharp comedic timing and unforgettable characters, becoming a household name through roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, and Beetlejuice.

She first rose through the ranks of Canada’s improv scene before transitioning to film and television, where she famously portrayed two of cinema’s most memorable mothers. In Home Alone, her frantic shout of “Kevin!” became pop-culture legend. In Beetlejuice, she brought eccentric flair to Delia Deetz, a role she later reprised decades later.

O’Hara also became a staple of acclaimed mockumentary films and formed a longtime creative partnership with Eugene Levy. That collaboration ultimately led to Schitt’s Creek, where her portrayal of Moira Rose earned widespread praise, an Emmy Award in 2020, and a Golden Globe in 2021. Her Moira one-liners became instant memes, and the character helped redefine what leading roles for women later in life could look like.

Tributes poured in following news of her death, including from former co-stars who credited O’Hara with elevating every project she touched. She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons. A private celebration of life will be held by the family.

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