Catherine O’Hara, a Defining Comic Voice of Film and Television, Dies at 71

Catherine O’Hara, the actor whose work helped shape modern screen comedy, died Friday at 71. Her death was confirmed by her manager to People. She passed away at home after a short illness, according to early reports cited by TMZ. Over a career spanning five decades, she became known for characters that were both fearless and finely observed.

O’Hara’s performances balanced absurdity with emotional precision, earning her wide admiration across film and television. She received multiple major honors, including two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her work continued to draw recognition late into her career, including Emmy nominations in recent years. Few performers moved as fluidly between satire and sincerity.

Born in Canada in 1954, O’Hara emerged from Toronto’s Second City comedy scene, a proving ground that helped define a generation. That ensemble evolved into SCTV, where she gained national attention alongside performers who would become lifelong collaborators. In 1982, she earned an Emmy for her writing as the series expanded to American audiences. The show established her reputation as both a performer and a creative force.

By the mid-1980s, O’Hara was appearing steadily in film, often stealing scenes in supporting roles. She worked with directors including Martin Scorsese in After Hours and Mike Nichols in Heartburn. Her portrayal of Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice made her a fixture in popular culture. She later reunited with Burton as a voice performer and returned to the franchise decades later.

O’Hara reached a global audience as the frantic yet tender mother in Home Alone and its sequel. The role introduced her to a new generation of viewers and became a permanent part of holiday movie tradition. Her longtime friendship with Macaulay Culkin endured well beyond the films. He later shared a public tribute reflecting on their bond.

From Home Alone to Schitt’s Creek, a Career Defined by Precision and Heart

A frequent collaborator of Christopher Guest, O’Hara became central to a style of comedy that favored improvisation and restraint. Her performances in Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show were widely praised for their specificity. In the years that followed, she appeared in prestige television projects, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Six Feet Under. She earned an Emmy nomination for her role in Temple Grandin.

Her most celebrated late-career role arrived with Schitt’s Creek, which debuted in 2015. As Moira Rose, O’Hara created a character that was theatrical, brittle, and unexpectedly humane. The show found a broader audience after arriving on Netflix, eventually sweeping major awards. She won an Emmy in 2020 and a Golden Globe the following year.

In recent years, O’Hara continued working steadily, appearing in Apple TV’s The Studio with Seth Rogen and in the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us. Both performances earned Emmy nominations. Her presence remained unmistakable, even in smaller roles. Colleagues frequently cited her precision and generosity as a scene partner.

O’Hara married production designer Bo Welch in 1992 after meeting during Beetlejuice. They raised two sons, Matthew and Luke, and lived for many years in Los Angeles. In 2021, she was named the honorary mayor of her neighborhood. Speaking to USA Today in 2025, she joked about a career highlight, saying, “I brag to people that I’m doing a Super Bowl commercial.”

Reflecting on her work, O’Hara once said, “It’s a beautiful gift to be able to laugh, and especially to laugh at yourself.” That sensibility defined her career. She brought rigor to comedy and warmth to satire, leaving behind a body of work that continues to shape how humor is written and performed. Her influence remains deeply felt across generations of film and television.