Vale actress Catherine O’Hara who died, aged 71

By creammagazine, January 31, 2026

I am so sad to write of the passing of actress Catherine O’Hara, who died last night, aged 71, at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by close family.

Industry representatives report that O’Hara passed away following a brief illness, though specific medical details have not been publicly confirmed. She had mentioned in interviews before that she had a certain condition in which some of her organs mirrored one another in their positioning, but it is unconfirmed whether this influenced her most recent condition.

It feels so sad to learn of Catherine O’Hara’s passing because while she primarily dealt in the genre of comedy, she was like a trusted mum to us all, particularly through her strong, brilliant matriarchal roles on the big screen and small.

O’Hara built a rich and varied film career defined by sharp comedy, memorable characters, and an instinct for scene-stealing detail. She first gained widespread attention in the 1980s with supporting roles that showcased her offbeat energy, including Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988), in which she played flamboyantly neurotic matriarch Delia Deetz. Around the same time, she appeared in Martin Scorsese’s cult favorite After Hours (1985) and Warren Beatty’s comic-strip spectacle Dick Tracy (1990), proving her versatility beyond straightforward comedy.

The actress became a household name in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), portraying Kevin McCallister’s frazzled but determined mother.

A defining chapter of her film work came through collaborations with director Christopher Guest. In mockumentaries such as ‘Waiting for Guffman’ (1996), ‘Best in Show’ (2000), ‘A Mighty Wind’ (2003), and ‘For Your Consideration’ (2006), O’Hara delivered largely improvised performances that blended absurdity with surprising emotional depth.

O’Hara also made a great mark as a voice actor, most notably voicing Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Across decades of film work, she has remained celebrated for her comedic precision, expressive physicality, and an ability to turn even eccentric characters into something distinctly human.

If O’Hara’s name still doesn’t ring a bell (a very strong ring it should be), you may recall her over-the-top and remarkable appearance as Moira Rose in the hilarious stream-TV series, Schitts Creek. Always dressed impeccably as the fashion-forward (perhaps too forward) Moira, she seemed as much a brilliant inspiration on-set as her character was to audiences. Stylish, quick-witted, and very much the actor’s actor, O’Hara as Moira is a masterclass in how to get by in an acting career when the work is running dry.

O’Hara’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and co-stars, including Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, who shared a heartfelt message honoring her legacy.

She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons.

One of the last projects Catherine worked on was the Apple TV series co-created by Seth Rogan called The Studio, starring as Patty Leigh, a former movie studio head and mentor whose sharp industry wisdom helps guide Rogen’s character in balancing art and commerce on the big screen. She was involved with the show up until shortly before her death this weekend.

In the series, O’Hara says a line that will ring true well after her passing. She turns to Rogan’s character and says, “The job makes you stressed and panicked and miserable, but when it all comes together and you make a good movie, it’s good forever.”

Indeed, Catherine O’Hara’s filmography is filled to the brim with these.

Antonino Tati