Renowned American Actress Catherine O’Hara Passes Away

Jan 31, 2026
Entertainment

Image: Catherine O’Hara (Collected)

Staff Report: PNN

Renowned American actress Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71. Her management agency confirmed her death on Friday. Manager Mark Garvitz stated that she was taken from her Brentwood, Los Angeles home to a hospital before dawn. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

Catherine O’Hara gained worldwide fame through the TV series ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and the popular movie ‘Home Alone’. She was born in Toronto, Canada, and began her acting career with the comedy theater group Second City. Her film debut was in 1980 with ‘Double Negative’.

She received widespread acclaim for her role as Winona Ryder’s stepmother in Tim Burton’s 1988 film ‘Beetlejuice’. She achieved global recognition for her role as Kevin McCallister’s mother in the 1990 film ‘Home Alone’ and reprised the role in ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’.

She became particularly well-known to modern audiences for her role as Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek’, winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2020, along with a Golden Globe and SAG Award.

Her death has been mourned by colleagues in Hollywood. Co-star Macaulay Culkin wrote on Instagram, “Mom, I thought we had more time. I wanted to sit with you and talk more. I love you.”

Catherine O’Hara excelled in both comedy and drama. Her contributions to television and film make her passing a significant loss for Hollywood.