Catherine O'Hara, Kevin's mother in "Home Alone,' dies at 71

LOS ANGELES,— Catherine O’Hara, the Canadian actress and comedian known for her versatile roles ranging from the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek to the frantic mother in Home Alone, has died at the age of 71.

Her death prompted tributes from her co-stars, fellow entertainers, and public officials, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

A representative for O’Hara’s manager, Marc Gurvitz, confirmed her passing.

O’Hara received widespread recognition for her performance as Moira Rose, winning the 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her work helped make Schitt’s Creek a standout at the 2021 Golden Globes.

The BBC, citing a statement from Creative Artists Agency, reported that O’Hara passed away Friday at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness.

Catherine O’Hara with Macaulay Culkin during the unveiling of Culkin’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. Photo: Reuters

O’Hara’s film career included the role of Kate McCallister, the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character “Kevin” in Home Alone, and Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice.

Culkin paid tribute to her on Instagram, posting photos and writing: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

Leaders and fans around the world mourned her loss. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X that he joins Canadians and global fans in remembering O’Hara.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called her “a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart” and said she brought laughter across generations. Trudeau’s post included a photo of him with O’Hara.

O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, the sixth of seven children. She began her career in 1974 as a member of the improvisational theater group The Second City in Toronto.

Two years later, she appeared on the sketch comedy TV show SCTV, which became an early platform for her comedic talent.

She also provided voices for many animated films, including Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pinktail in The Wild Robot, Brook Ripple in Elemental, and several characters in Frankenweenie, including Mrs. Frankenstein.

In recent years, she appeared in Seth Rogen’s 2025 satire series The Studio, playing Patty Leigh, the former head of a Hollywood studio. O’Hara also took on dramatic roles, such as her part in the 1997 film Hope.

O’Hara leaves behind her husband, Bo Welch, whom she met during the filming of Beetlejuice in 1987, along with their two sons.

(With files from Reuters)