- Catherine O’Hara died at age 71 following a brief illness
- Tributes poured in from Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal, Ben Stiller, and more
- Best known for Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek
- Celebrated for redefining comedy with warmth, originality, and heart
- Survived by her husband, two sons, and extended family
Hollywood and the global entertainment community are mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning comedic actress who died on Friday at the age of 71. Her agent confirmed that the Canadian-born star passed away at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness.
Widely regarded as one of the most distinctive comic performers of her generation, O’Hara was best known for her roles in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone, as well as acclaimed television series including Schitt’s Creek and The Studio. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she earned critical acclaim for her ability to portray eccentric, emotionally rich characters with warmth and intelligence.
Tributes from across the entertainment industry quickly followed news of her death. Meryl Streep, who worked alongside O’Hara in the 1986 comedy Heartburn, said the actress brought “love and light to our world, through whip-smart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.” Streep added that O’Hara’s passing was a profound loss not only to her family and friends, but also to audiences who felt connected to her work.
Pedro Pascal, who recently appeared with O’Hara in The Studio, expressed deep gratitude for having worked with her, writing that there was now “less light in my world.” Ben Stiller described her influence as immeasurable, saying it was “hard to explain the impact she had on comedy,” and added that for him, there was “no one better.”
Michael Keaton, her longtime collaborator from Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared an emotional message reflecting on their decades-long friendship. “She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis, and my real-life, true friend,” he said. “This one hurts.”
Director Tim Burton also paid tribute, sharing a cast photo and writing that O’Hara brought extraordinary light to everyone she worked with. Alec Baldwin, another Beetlejuice co-star, called her “one of the greatest comic talents in the movie business,” praising her uniquely original presence.
O’Hara’s on-screen son in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Macaulay Culkin, shared a deeply personal message on Instagram, expressing regret that he did not have more time with her and affirming his love and gratitude.
In recent years, O’Hara enjoyed a major career resurgence thanks to her role as the flamboyant Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek. The performance earned her a 2021 Golden Globe and an Emmy, while introducing her to a new generation of fans. Series co-creator Dan Levy described her as “family before she ever played my family,” while Eugene Levy, her longtime collaborator and friend of more than 50 years, said words felt inadequate to express his sense of loss.
Beyond television, O’Hara remained an awards-season presence, earning nominations this year for her role as Patty Leigh in Seth Rogen’s The Studio. Rogen credited her as a major inspiration, saying Home Alone was the movie that made him want to make films.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings. Her legacy endures as one of comedy’s most luminous and enduring voices.
