Catherine O'Hara, the beloved Canadian-American actress, comedian, and screenwriter, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71, concluding a career that spanned over five decades. Her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered her as a uniquely brilliant and delightful performer.
O'Hara's illustrious career began in sketch and improvisational comedy, notably as a cast member and writer for the influential Second City Television (SCTV) from 1976 to 1984, where she crafted memorable characters like the melodramatic lounge singer Lola Heatherton. She seamlessly transitioned into film, gaining widespread recognition for her roles as the perpetually stressed mother Kate McCallister in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), and as the quirky, overbearing stepmother Delia Deetz in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice (1988).
A significant portion of her acclaimed work involved collaborations with director Christopher Guest in his mockumentary films, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003), where her improvisational genius shone through eccentric characters like Cookie Fleck. In later years, O'Hara experienced a career resurgence with her iconic portrayal of the eccentric former soap opera star Moira Rose in the critically acclaimed CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek (2015-2020), a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award. She also lent her distinctive voice to several animated films, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Chicken Little (2005), and Frankenweenie (2012). Her final roles included projects like Apple TV+'s The Studio and HBO's The Last of Us (both 2025).
Throughout her career, O'Hara was celebrated for her unique ability to embody diverse characters with humor, depth, and a distinctive wit, making her a "beacon of talent." Her impact was recognized with numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, Gemini, Genie, and Canadian Screen Awards, and she was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017. Tributes from fellow actors like Macaulay Culkin, Dan Levy, Meryl Streep, Michael Keaton, Seth Rogen, and Christopher Guest underscored her kindness, talent, and profound influence on comedy and their own careers, with many expressing deep sorrow at the loss of a "comedy legend" and "global treasure".