Veteran actor Catherine O’Hara, widely acclaimed for her work across television and film, passed away on Friday at her residence in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She was 71.
O’Hara, a native of Toronto, was a founding member of the influential SCTV ensemble, which went on to shape a generation of North American comedy. Over a career spanning more than four decades, she became known for her versatility, sharp comic timing, and distinctive screen presence.
She earned global recognition for portraying Kate McCallister in the Home Alone film franchise and later experienced a career resurgence with the television series Schitt’s Creek, where she played the flamboyant Moira Rose. Her performance earned her an Emmy Award in 2020, adding to an earlier Emmy win for her work on SCTV Network in 1982.
Over the course of her career, O’Hara received several nominations for both acting and writing. In 2025, she was nominated in two categories—Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Last of Us and for her comedic role in The Studio.
Born on March 4, 1954, O’Hara grew up in Toronto and joined the city’s Second City theatre company at the age of 20. She began as an understudy before becoming part of the main cast, marking the start of a career that would span stage, television, and cinema.
Reacting to her passing, Schitt’s Creek co-creator and actor Dan Levy shared a personal tribute, recalling decades of collaboration and describing O’Hara as extended family long before they worked together on screen. He said her absence would leave a lasting void in both his life and the creative world.
Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke. Further details are awaited.
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