Catherine O’Hara’s Family Announces Private Celebration of Life
Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed actress celebrated for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, passed away on Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 71 after a brief illness. Her family, including husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew and Luke, plans to hold a private celebration of life, as noted in an obituary.
The family stated that the event will remain intimate and closed to the public, honoring O’Hara’s legacy in a personal manner.
Details of Her Final Moments
Emergency services responded to O’Hara’s Brentwood home around 4:48 a.m. after reports of a medical emergency. First responders noted she experienced difficulty breathing and transported her to a nearby hospital in serious condition, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson.
The exact cause of death remains undisclosed at this time. O’Hara leaves behind her husband of over 30 years, Bo Welch, along with sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.
Tributes from Hollywood Colleagues
O’Hara’s passing prompted an outpouring of grief from fellow stars. Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son from the first two Home Alone films, shared a poignant Instagram post featuring a split image from the movie and their 2023 reunion at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
Culkin wrote, “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.”
Pedro Pascal, who co-starred with O’Hara in season two of HBO’s The Last of Us, posted on Instagram, “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always,” followed by a heart emoji.
Justin Theroux, her co-star in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared a photo of her on-set chair and simply stated, “Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.”
Filmmaker Ron Howard, who collaborated with O’Hara on the 1994 film The Paper, described the news as shattering. He said, “What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her, and she only grew more brilliant each year. My heart goes out to Bo and family.”
Recent Appearances and Career Highlights
O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for her work in The Studio. During the event, Culkin presented the Best Screenplay award and reflected on their time in the holiday classic.
Just weeks earlier, in September 2025, O’Hara made a striking appearance at the Emmys. She also reunited with longtime collaborator Eugene Levy at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she accepted the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award.
Visibly moved, O’Hara remarked during her acceptance speech, “Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling.” She added, “Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.”
Their partnership began in the 1970s on the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV), launching careers alongside talents like John Candy and Rick Moranis. They later co-starred in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006).
O’Hara’s iconic roles extended to Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988) and her Emmy-winning portrayal of Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek, which sparked a career resurgence. She earned the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy in 2020 for the role.
Her accolades include an Emmy in 1982 for SCTV, eight additional nominations, and induction into the Order of Canada in 2017. In 2025, she secured rare double nominations for The Last of Us and The Studio.
A Toronto native, O’Hara’s versatile talent across comedy and drama left an indelible mark on film and television.
