Actress Catherine O'Hara, best known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek," and mockumentaries like "Waiting for Guffman" and "A Mighty Wind," has died. She was 71 years old.
🕊️ Catherine O'Hara has died at 71.
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 30, 2026
What we know: https://t.co/OZrCm2rTKa pic.twitter.com/LE50HFksux
TMZ reports that O'Hara passed away on Friday, but no cause of death was given at this time.
O'Hara was born in 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, the sixth of seven children. She is the older sister of musician and actress Mary Margaret O'Hara.
Her career began in 1974 as a member of The Second City in Toronto, where she was an understudy for Gilda Radner until Radner left to join the cast of "Saturday Night Live." That comedy group later created the sketch show "SCTV," on which O'Hara was a regular performer.
The range this woman had!!!! We will never forget you Catherine O’Hara!!! pic.twitter.com/vflK0e1ccz
— Betches (@betchesluvthis) January 30, 2026
She made her film debut in 1980's "Double Negative," which also featured "SCTV" co-stars John Candy and Eugene Levy.
She appeared as Delia Deetz in the 1988 horror-comedy "Beetlejuice", and in both "Home Alone" (1990) and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992).
It’s with great sadness that we report that the amazing Catherine O’Hara has sadly passed away at the age of 71.
— Epic Film Guys ® (@EpicFilmGuys) January 30, 2026
R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/wkmYAWVQ1i
O'Hara appeared in four of the Christopher Guest mockumentary films in the 1990s and early 2000s: "Waiting for Guffman" (1996), "Best in Show" (2000), "A Mighty Wind" (2003), and "For Your Consideration" (2006).
She was also a voice actress in a number of films, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), "Chicken Little" (2005), and "The Wild Robot" (2024).
Legendary Canadian actress Catherine O'Hara, known for her iconic roles in Home Alone, Schitt's Creek and a variety of other movies and television shows, has died at the age of 71. pic.twitter.com/kMJkpaoCb8
— Made In Canada (@MadelnCanada) January 30, 2026
From 2015 to 2020, O'Hara co-starred as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom "Schitt's Creek" with fellow "SCTV" alum Eugene Levy. She won several awards for that role, including a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and a Critics' Choice Award.
In 2025, O'Hara returned to television in the Apple TV+ satirical comedy "The Studio" and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
🚨BREAKING:
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) January 30, 2026
‘Home Alone’ star Catherine O’Hara passes away.
The actress, who played Kevin’s mom in the hit movie, died today aged 71.
The Emmy Winner also starred in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Schitt's Creek’ during her decades long acting career.
Source: TMZ pic.twitter.com/CLwd7x3Plv
O'Hara met production designer Bo Welch on the set of Beetlejuice, and they married in 1992. They had two sons, Matthew and Luke.
I can't. Catherina O'Hara has passed away at the age of 71.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) January 30, 2026
We're currently in the middle of a Schitt's Creek rewatch, and she's simply the best. Has been the best for decades. I can't even get into what her work in film and TV has meant to me. Damnit. pic.twitter.com/Ne9Y7sfKrJ
O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their children.
She will be missed by legions of fans, including this writer.