Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actress beloved for her roles as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek and Kate McCallister in Home Alone, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her representatives confirmed she died peacefully at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. A titan of sketch comedy and character acting, O’Hara’s career spanned five decades, earning her a reputation as one of the most versatile and brilliant comedic performers in history.
Breaking News: Passing and Cause of Death
On January 30, 2026, the entertainment world was stunned by the news of Catherine O’Hara’s death. Statements from her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), indicated that she passed away at her Brentwood home in Los Angeles.
Cause of Death Details
While the family has requested privacy regarding specific medical details, official statements cite a “brief illness” as the cause of death. Emergency services were reportedly called to her residence early Friday morning, but she passed shortly after. Tributes immediately poured in from long-time collaborators like Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and her Home Alone“son” Macaulay Culkin, who remembered her as “the world’s favorite mom.”
Situs Inversus Condition
In the wake of her passing, there has been renewed interest in O’Hara’s rare medical condition, situs inversus with dextrocardia. O’Hara had previously revealed in interviews that she was born with this congenital anomaly, where the major visceral organs are reversed or mirrored from their normal positions (e.g., the heart is on the right side of the chest).
- Fact Check: While true that she had this condition, there is no current evidence linking situs inversus to her cause of death. It is generally a condition people can live with normally, as O’Hara did for 71 years.
Early Life and SCTV Origins
Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Catherine Anne O’Hara came from a large Irish Catholic family. Her comedic roots were planted in Toronto’s vibrant improv scene in the 1970s.
The Second City and SCTV
O’Hara began her career as an understudy to Gilda Radner at The Second City in Toronto. She soon joined the main cast and became a founding member of SCTV (Second City Television), a sketch show that is now considered a cornerstone of North American comedy.
- Key Characters: She developed iconic characters like the ambitious but untalented Lola Heatherton and the heavily accented Dusty Towne.
- Collaboration: It was here she formed lifelong creative partnerships with Eugene Levy, John Candy, and Andrea Martin. Her work on SCTV earned her an Emmy Award for writing in 1982.
The Hollywood Years: Home Alone and Beetlejuice
O’Hara successfully transitioned from sketch comedy to major Hollywood films in the 1980s and 90s, often playing memorable, eccentric mothers or artists.
Beetlejuice (1988) & Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
O’Hara starred as Delia Deetz, the sculpture-obsessed stepmother in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. The role showcased her ability to play high-strung, oblivious characters with lovable charm.
- Romance: It was on the set of Beetlejuice that she met production designer Bo Welch. They married in 1992 and remained together until her death, raising two sons, Matthew and Luke.
- Sequel: She reprised the role of Delia in the 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reconnecting with director Tim Burton and co-star Winona Ryder.
Home Alone (1990)
Perhaps her most globally recognized role is Kate McCallister, the frantic mother who accidentally leaves her son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) behind in Home Alone.
- The “Kevin!” Scream: Her realization on the plane remains one of the most famous scenes in cinema history.
- Legacy: O’Hara famously maintained a sweet relationship with Macaulay Culkin, who referred to her as “Mom” at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.
The Christopher Guest Mockumentaries
O’Hara was a staple in Christopher Guest’s improvised mockumentary films, where her chemistry with Eugene Levy flourished.
Best in Show (2000)
She played Cookie Fleck, a woman with a promiscuous past and a terrier named Winky. Her ability to walk awkwardly in platform shoes became a masterclass in physical comedy.
A Mighty Wind (2003)
As Mickey Crabbe, one half of a folk music duo with Eugene Levy, she showcased her genuine singing talent. The pair even performed at the Academy Awards in character.
The Renaissance: Schitt’s Creek and Moira Rose
In 2015, O’Hara took on the role that would define the latter half of her career: Moira Rose in the CBC/Pop TV sitcom Schitt’s Creek.
Moira Rose: A Cultural Phenomenon
Co-created by Dan and Eugene Levy, the show allowed O’Hara to create a singular, outlandish character. Moira Rose was a washed-up soap star with an indecipherable transatlantic accent and a collection of bizarre wigs.
- The Accent: O’Hara crafted Moira’s speech pattern herself, blending archaic vocabulary with erratic pronunciation (e.g., “bebé” for baby).
- Awards Sweep: In 2020, O’Hara won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also swept the TCA, SAG, and Golden Globe awards for the final season.
Recent Projects (2024-2026)
Before her passing, O’Hara remained incredibly active:
- The Last of Us (2025): She took a dramatic turn in Season 2 of the HBO hit, playing a pivotal guest role that earned her critical acclaim.
- The Studio (2025): She starred alongside Seth Rogen in this Apple TV+ industry satire.
Practical Information and Planning
For fans wishing to pay respects or visit locations associated with her career:
Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Location: Catherine O’Hara does not have a star on the Walk of Fame, a fact that fans have often petitioned to change. However, you can visit the stars of her collaborators Eugene Levy and Macaulay Culkin.
Filming Locations
- Schitt’s Creek Motel: Located in Orangeville, Ontario (the Hockley Valley Motel).
- Note: It is a private property/working building, so view from the road only.
- Home Alone House: Located at 671 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka, Illinois.
- Tips: It is a private residence in a quiet neighborhood. Respect the owners’ privacy and take photos from the sidewalk.
The Second City Toronto
- Address: 1 York Street, Toronto, ON.
- What to Expect: Catch a show where it all began. The theater often has tributes to alumni like O’Hara and Candy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death? Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, 2026, following a “brief illness,” according to her representatives. No further specific medical details have been released by the family.
Did Catherine O’Hara really have situs inversus? Yes. Catherine O’Hara had a rare condition called situs inversus with dextrocardia, meaning her heart was on the right side of her chest and her major organs were mirrored. She often joked about it in interviews, calling herself a “mirror image” human.
Who is Catherine O’Hara’s husband? She was married to Bo Welch, a renowned production designer and director. They met on the set of Beetlejuice in 1988, married in 1992, and were together until her death.
How many children did Catherine O’Hara have? She had two sons with Bo Welch: Matthew Welch (born 1994) and Luke Welch (born 1997). Both have worked in the entertainment industry behind the scenes.
Was Catherine O’Hara British? No, she was Canadian. She was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, though her character Moira Rose’s accent often confused viewers into thinking she was British or mid-Atlantic.
What is the “Kevin” scream from Home Alone? It is the moment her character, Kate McCallister, realizes mid-flight that she has left her son at home. O’Hara famously recreated this face for social media and fan events throughout her life.
Did Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy date? No, they were never a romantic couple. They were close friends and professional partners for nearly 50 years, dating back to their days at Second City in the 1970s.
What awards did Catherine O’Hara win? She won two Primetime Emmy Awards (one for writing SCTV in 1982, one for acting in Schitt’s Creek in 2020), a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards.
Is Catherine O’Hara in Beetlejuice 2? Yes. She reprised her role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which was released in theaters in September 2024.
What was Catherine O’Hara’s net worth? At the time of her passing in 2026, her net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, accrued from her long career in film and television.
Did she ever host SNL? She hosted Saturday Night Live twice (in 1991 and 1992). Interestingly, she was actually hired as a cast member in 1981 but quit before the season started, choosing to return to SCTV instead.
Where did Catherine O’Hara live? She lived in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, with her husband Bo Welch, though she also maintained strong ties to her native Canada.
