Catherine O'hara (1954 – 2026)

Their Story

Catherine Anne O'Hara, the Emmy-winning Canadian and American actress, comedian, and screenwriter, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. She died at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer noted as an underlying cause. Her passing brought a wave of profound grief across the entertainment industry, as fans and colleagues alike mourned the loss of a woman whose brilliant comedic timing and radiant warmth left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Catherine grew up in a large, loving Irish Catholic family. She began her legendary comedy career in her hometown during the 1970s, joining the famed improvisational comedy enterprise Second City. She quickly became a standout performer and helped create the groundbreaking sketch comedy show Second City Television (SCTV). Her work on SCTV not only showcased her unparalleled ability to inhabit eccentric, hilarious characters but also laid the foundation for a spectacular career that would span over half a century. In the 1980s and 1990s, O'Hara successfully transitioned into film, becoming a fixture in some of the era's most beloved comedies. She captured hearts globally as Kate McCallister, the fiercely determined mother in the smash-hit Home Alone franchise, and delivered a scene-stealing performance in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. It was on the set of Beetlejuice that she met production designer Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992. She also became a vital collaborator in Christopher Guest's acclaimed mockumentaries, delivering unforgettable performances in films like Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. Later in her career, O'Hara achieved a new zenith of fame and critical acclaim portraying the dramatically oblivious and fabulously wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in the hit series Schitt's Creek. Her masterful performance, complete with an unplaceable accent and an extraordinary vocabulary, won her an Emmy Award and introduced her comedic genius to an entirely new generation of fans. She continued to work passionately until the end of her life, recently appearing in the Apple TV+ satire The Studio, a role that garnered her additional Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Beyond her numerous accolades and unforgettable characters, Catherine O'Hara was a deeply devoted family woman. She is survived by her husband of over three decades, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. In accordance with her reserved nature and lifelong discretion, she was honored in a private funeral service at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles, attended by her closest family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, brilliant characters, and a standard of comedic excellence that will inspire artists for generations to come.