Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Home Alone’ Star, Dies at 71

Catherine O'Hara, an actor who won two Emmys and appeared in movies like "Home Alone" and "Best in Show," also had a big comeback in the TV show "Schitt's Creek," has passed away. Her manager told Variety about her death. She was 71 years old.

Her agent, CAA, said she died at home in Los Angeles on Friday after a short illness.

Catherine started her career in Hollywood over 50 years ago.

 She began with a Canadian comedy show called "Second City Television" that she helped create with Eugene Levy. That show got her her first Emmy and four other nominations. She then acted in movies like "After Hours," "Beetlejuice," and the first two "Home Alone" films where she played the mom of the main character, Kevin. She stayed close friends with Kevin Culkin and even honored him at his Walk of Fame event in 2023.

She often worked with Christopher Guest on funny movies like "Best in Show," "For Your Consideration," "Waiting for Guffman," and "A Mighty Wind."

 She also had voice roles in popular animated films such as "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Chicken Little." Late in her career, she acted in the sequel "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" and the Apple action movie "Argylle."

In her 60s, she had a big comeback with the role of Moira Rose in the sitcom "Schitt's Creek."

 She played opposite Eugene and Dan Levy and Annie Murphy. She won her second Emmy for that show, which led to other big TV roles in HBO's "The Last of Us" and Apple TV's "The Studio." In "The Studio," she played a Hollywood executive who was pushed aside. The second season of the Seth Rogen comedy recently started filming.

In a 2025 interview with Variety about "The Studio," Catherine talked about how the movie industry has changed over her career.

 She said, "It must be a much more nervous business now than in the past. The internet and streaming must have opened up a world of good and horrific possibilities for people." Even though "The Studio" was a sharp take on Hollywood executives, she said, "Most people are trying to do and want to do good work. And most people want to be entertained."

Catherine was born in Toronto but became a well-known figure in Los Angeles.

 In 2021, she was named the honorary mayor of Brentwood.

She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, who is a production designer, and her two sons, Matthew and Luke.

 She also had several siblings: Michael O'Hara, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O'Hara, Tom O'Hara, and Patricia Wallice.