The entertainment world is grieving the passing of Emmy-winning comedic actress Catherine O’Hara, who died at age 71 following a brief illness at her Los Angeles home on Friday. The Canadian icon, celebrated for her remarkable versatility and unparalleled comic timing, leaves behind an indelible legacy spanning five decades of film and television.
Tributes poured in from Hollywood’s elite, with Meryl Streep commemorating O’Hara’s ability to bring ‘love and light to our world through whip-smart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.’ The actresses had previously collaborated in the 1980s comedy ‘Heartburn,’ with Streep characterizing the loss as profound for both personal connections and the audiences who cherished her performances.
O’Hara’s career encompassed iconic roles that became cultural touchstones. She achieved household recognition as Kate McCallister in the ‘Home Alone’ franchise and delivered memorable performances in Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988) and its 2024 sequel. Burton himself shared a poignant cast photo on social media, writing: ‘Catherine, I love you. This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us.’
Her recent career resurgence came through the critically acclaimed series ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ where her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2021. Co-creator Dan Levy described her as ‘family before she ever played my family,’ emphasizing the deep personal bonds formed during production.
Michael Keaton, her ‘Beetlejuice’ co-star, reflected on their long professional relationship: ‘We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts.’
Beyond her acting prowess, O’Hara was celebrated for her influence on comedy itself. Ben Stiller noted it was ‘hard to explain the impact she had on comedy,’ asserting there was ‘no one better.’ Director Christopher Guest, who collaborated with her on four films including ‘Waiting for Guffman,’ called her ‘one of the comic giants of our age.’
Her ‘Home Alone’ son Macaulay Culkin posted an emotional Instagram tribute: ‘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.’
O’Hara’s impact extended beyond Hollywood to her native Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described her as a ‘beloved Canadian icon’ and comedian Mike Myers noted her passing marked ‘a very sad day for comedy and for Canada.’
She is survived by her husband Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992, their two sons Matthew and Luke, and six siblings. O’Hara remains nominated posthumously at the upcoming Actor Awards for her role in Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire ‘The Studio.’