Catherine O’Hara, Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek Actress, Dies at 71

Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actress known for starring in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71.

Her representative confirmed her death on January 30, 2026. Details regarding the cause of death were not immediately released.

Born on March 4, 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, O’Hara began her career as a member of the famed Second City comedy troupe in the 1970s. She gained early acclaim as a writer and performer on the sketch comedy series SCTV, where her sharp character work helped establish her as a standout comedic talent.

O’Hara’s film career took off in the 1980s and 1990s with a series of memorable roles that showcased her range. She appeared in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988) as Delia Deetz’s mother, a performance that remains a fan favorite. She was widely recognised for playing Kevin McCallister’s resourceful mother Kate in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), films that became holiday classics.

O’Hara was a frequent presence in the mockumentary films of Christopher Guest, bringing her improvisational skills to Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003), among others. She also voiced characters in animated features such as Elemental (2023) and The Wild Robot (2024), demonstrating a versatility that spanned genres and formats.

Her television work was equally impactful. After decades of supporting roles and guest appearances, her portrayal of Moira Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020) earned her widespread critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award in 2020 and a Golden Globe.

O’Hara’s last released film credits included roles in Argylle (2024) and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), the sequel to the Tim Burton classic, and voice work in The Wild Robot (2024). She also appeared in television dramas such as The Last of Us season 2 (2025) and the dramedy series The Studio (2025).