Beloved Canadian Actress Catherine O'Hara Dies at 71
Toronto-born actress Catherine O'Hara, a comedy and drama powerhouse whose iconic performances earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, has passed away at the age of 71. According to the Creative Artists Agency, O'Hara's death was caused by a brief illness, though no further details were released.
Over five decades in the spotlight, O'Hara showcased her versatility with roles across various genres - from drama to comedy - yet it was her witty performances that truly left an indelible mark on audiences. A veteran of Canada's Second City sketch troupe and founding member of "SCTV" (now known as "SCTV Network 90"), O'Hara earned a first Emmy for her writing in 1982, cementing her reputation as a comedic force.
However, it was her unforgettable portrayal of the exasperating yet fascinating Moira Rose in the hit Canadian sitcom 'Schitt's Creek' that catapulted her to international acclaim and meme-worthy status. Her performance earned O'Hara not only another Emmy but also numerous accolades including a Golden Globe and an Actor Award, solidifying her standing as one of the greatest comedic actresses.
Beyond her iconic roles, generations have come to recognize O'Hara through memorable supporting parts in cult classics such as 'Beetlejuice' (1988) and its 2024 sequel. Her on-screen presence was just as striking in family-centric films like 'Home Alone' (1990) and its sequel, where she played the mother to Macaulay Culkin's heartthrob character.
O'Hara also demonstrated her range with appearances in Christopher Guest-directed mockumentaries, including "Waiting for Guffman" (1996), "Best in Show" (2000), "A Mighty Wind" (2003), and "For Your Consideration" (2006). Her extensive voice work included notable roles such as Sally in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) and Brook Ripple in the 2023 Pixar film "Elemental."
When news of her passing broke, O'Hara's co-stars paid heartfelt tributes on social media. Pedro Pascal offered a poignant statement from 'The Last of Us,' while Macaulay Culkin shared a touching remembrance from his 'Home Alone' days.
For Catherine O'Hara, the greatest legacy she leaves behind is undoubtedly her loving family - in a 2024 interview with TMZ, she revealed that being a mother to her two sons was the role she'd most want to be remembered for. The late actress is survived by her husband Bo Welch and their children Luke and Matthew.
Toronto-born actress Catherine O'Hara, a comedy and drama powerhouse whose iconic performances earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, has passed away at the age of 71. According to the Creative Artists Agency, O'Hara's death was caused by a brief illness, though no further details were released.
Over five decades in the spotlight, O'Hara showcased her versatility with roles across various genres - from drama to comedy - yet it was her witty performances that truly left an indelible mark on audiences. A veteran of Canada's Second City sketch troupe and founding member of "SCTV" (now known as "SCTV Network 90"), O'Hara earned a first Emmy for her writing in 1982, cementing her reputation as a comedic force.
However, it was her unforgettable portrayal of the exasperating yet fascinating Moira Rose in the hit Canadian sitcom 'Schitt's Creek' that catapulted her to international acclaim and meme-worthy status. Her performance earned O'Hara not only another Emmy but also numerous accolades including a Golden Globe and an Actor Award, solidifying her standing as one of the greatest comedic actresses.
Beyond her iconic roles, generations have come to recognize O'Hara through memorable supporting parts in cult classics such as 'Beetlejuice' (1988) and its 2024 sequel. Her on-screen presence was just as striking in family-centric films like 'Home Alone' (1990) and its sequel, where she played the mother to Macaulay Culkin's heartthrob character.
O'Hara also demonstrated her range with appearances in Christopher Guest-directed mockumentaries, including "Waiting for Guffman" (1996), "Best in Show" (2000), "A Mighty Wind" (2003), and "For Your Consideration" (2006). Her extensive voice work included notable roles such as Sally in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) and Brook Ripple in the 2023 Pixar film "Elemental."
When news of her passing broke, O'Hara's co-stars paid heartfelt tributes on social media. Pedro Pascal offered a poignant statement from 'The Last of Us,' while Macaulay Culkin shared a touching remembrance from his 'Home Alone' days.
For Catherine O'Hara, the greatest legacy she leaves behind is undoubtedly her loving family - in a 2024 interview with TMZ, she revealed that being a mother to her two sons was the role she'd most want to be remembered for. The late actress is survived by her husband Bo Welch and their children Luke and Matthew.
just heard about Catherine O'Hara's passing at 71 
. She had an incredible career spanning over five decades, leaving us with so many amazing memories of her iconic performances in films like 'Beetlejuice' & 'Home Alone'. Her portrayal of Moira Rose in 'Schitt's Creek' will always be remembered for its wit & humor 
. What I loved most about her was her versatility - she could effortlessly switch between comedy, drama, or voice acting 
. Catherine may be gone but her legacy lives on through her loving family 
and the countless fans who grew up watching her shine on screen 
it's so sad, she was always so full of life on screen, but I guess that's the thing about celebrities - they can pop up in your life for a moment, then disappear 
anyway, I loved watching her bring Moira Rose to life 
who else could make a character so delightfully dysfunctional? 
she might've started out as a comedic force, but she had this incredible range... RIP Catherine 
just heard about Catherine O'Hara's passing at 71 - what a legend 
I remember her iconic roles in 'Beetlejuice' and 'Home Alone', still quotable to this day 
Sadly, it seems she'll be remembered even more for being an amazing mom to her two sons 
something don't sit right about this whole thing... I mean, she's been acting for like 50 years, and now she just dies out of nowhere? A brief illness, yeah right 
. It's all too convenient. What if it wasn't a coincidence that her latest movie came out in 2024? Maybe they wanted to capitalize on her popularity one last time before... you know. And what about the "loving family" she left behind? That sounds like something they want us to believe, but are we really supposed to buy into it? 
. I mean, have you seen her in 'Schitt's Creek'? That woman can just bring the drama, and Moira Rose is like the ultimate icon 
. And let's not forget those cameos in 'Beetlejuice'... who wouldn't want to see her voice Sally singing "This Is Halloween" 
.
! I loved how she could do comedy and drama with ease, it was like watching a masterclass every time 
. RIP, Catherine... may you finally get to rest easy 
I'm still in shock! 
Catherine O'Hara was truly one of a kind 
. Rest in peace, your laughter and spirit will live on 
. Her range as a comedic actress was unmatched, and she always seemed to bring such depth and nuance to her roles. I'll miss seeing her on screen, but it sounds like she left behind an amazing legacy, especially for her loving family 
.
. She was truly a talented woman who paved her own path in Hollywood and inspired countless fans around the world 
. Rest in peace, Catherine 
another legend gone too soon. Catherine O'Hara was more than just an amazing actress, she was a true Canadian icon 
. I mean have u seen her in Schitt's Creek? 
she brought Moira Rose to life in a way that's still making us LOLs even years later 
. but what i think is most admirable about Catherine O'Hara is how humble she remained, especially when it came to her family life. she said in that 2024 interview with TMZ that being a mom was the role she'd want to be remembered for... it's really inspiring to see someone so talented still putting their loved ones first 
i remember watching schitt's creek with my friends and just dying over her performance as moira rose 
. Five decades in the spotlight and she's still making me laugh till my sides hurt 
. From 'SCTV' to 'Schitt's Creek', she stole scenes with her quick wit and impeccable timing 
. And let's not forget those iconic roles in 'Beetlejuice' and 'Home Alone'... how can you forget that? 
. Rest in peace, Catherine O'Hara... your legacy will live on through your amazing body of work 
#RIPcatherineO'Hara #ComedyLegend #SchittsCreekForever