Catherine O'Hara, the beloved Canadian comedic actress known for her iconic roles as Kate McCallister in 'Home Alone' and Moira Rose in 'Schitt's Creek,' has passed away at 71 after a brief illness.
Catherine O'Hara, the acclaimed Canadian comedic actress, has died at 71 following a brief illness. Celebrated for a career spanning five decades, O'Hara was best known for playing mothers, notably as Kate McCallister in the first two 'Home Alone' films, which spawned the viral 'Kevin!' meme, and as the eccentric matriarch Moira Rose in 'Schitt’s Creek,' a role that earned her a second Emmy. Tributes have flooded in from co-stars, including Macaulay Culkin, who wrote, 'Mama. I thought we had time,' and Pedro Pascal, who expressed eternal gratitude. Born in Toronto in 1954, O'Hara began her career in 1974 with The Second City improv comedy troupe. She became a regular on SCTV, winning her first Emmy in 1982 for Outstanding Writing. Her diverse filmography includes roles in Martin Scorsese’s 'After Hours,' Tim Burton’s 'Beetlejuice' (a role she reprised in the 2024 sequel), and Christopher Guest’s acclaimed mockumentaries such as 'Waiting for Guffman' and 'Best in Show.' In 2015, she captivated a new generation of fans as Moira Rose on 'Schitt’s Creek,' earning her second Emmy in 2020. O'Hara met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, on the set of 'Beetlejuice' in 1987, and they married in 1992. She is survived by Welch and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
