Catherine

Macaulay Culkin paid tribute to his “Home Alone” co-star Catherine O’Hara following her death at age 71.

O’Hara died Friday at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her agency CAA confirmed. Following the news, Culkin mourned his movie mom on social media.

“Mama. I thought we had time,” the actor wrote. “I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you.”

“I heard you. But I had so much more to say,” he continued. “I love you. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara played the frazzled yet fierce Kate McCallister, mother to quick-witted troublemaker Kevin McCallister, in the iconic “Home Alone” (1990) and its sequel “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992). The films launched Culkin to fame and have become bona fide Christmas classics, whose emotional core lies in the palpable chemistry between Culkin and O’Hara.

The pair reunited in 2023, when O’Hara honored Culkin at the latter’s Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony, praising the “sweet, yet twisted, yet totally relatable sense of humor” that helped him survive his early launch into the spotlight.

“The reason families all over the world can’t let a year go by without watching and loving ‘Home Alone’ together is because of Macaulay Culkin,” O’Hara said in her speech.

“Thank you for including me — your fake mom who left you home alone not once, but twice — to share in this happy occasion,” she said. “I’m so proud of you.”

News of O’Hara’s death brought tributes from the actor’s film and TV industry peers, including her collaborators from over the years.

Dan Levy, who co-created and co-starred in “Schitt’s Creek” with his father, Eugene Levy, said his TV mom was “extended family before she ever played my family.”

“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years. Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”

Eugene Levy reflected on his five-decade-long relationship with O’Hara.

“Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years,” Levy said in a statement. “From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to ‘SCTV,’ to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.”

Seth Rogen, who recently teamed up with O’Hara on the Emmy-winning comedy “The Studio,” said in an Instagram post that she was among his earliest inspirations.

“I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen,” Rogen said, citing “Home Alone” as “the movie that made me want to make movies.”

“Getting to work with her was a true honour,” the actor, who co-created, directed and stars in the series, continued. “She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it.”

Other members of “The Studio” crew also honored their late co-star.

Ike Barinholtz, who plays chaotic executive Sal Saperstein in “The Studio,” captioned an Instagram photo of him and O’Hara: “I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O’Hara let alone become friends with her.”

“So profoundly sad she’s somewhere else now,” Barinholtz added. “So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her.”

Ron Howard, who made a guest appearance as himself in the show, called O’Hara “a wonderful person, artist and collaborator.”

“I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year,” the filmmaker wrote Friday on X. O’Hara appeared in Howard’s 1992 dramedy “The Paper.”

O’Hara’s “Beetlejuice” co-star Michael Keaton also mourned the late actor, tracing their relationship back to well before the beloved Tim Burton movie.

“She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend,” Keaton wrote on Instagram. “This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.”

Justin Theroux, who joined O’Hara in 2024’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” also wrote on Instagram, “Oh Catherine. You will be so missed.”

Burton himself memorialized O’Hara with a cast photo from the “Beetlejuice” sequel.

“Catherine, I love you. This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us. You were a special part of my life and after life,” the venerated director captioned the shot on Instagram.

Martin Scorsese, who directed O’Hara in “After Hours,” said in a statement to IndieWire that her loss feels “impossible.”

“Catherine was a true comic genius, a true artist and a wonderful human being. I was blessed to be able to work with her on ‘After Hours,’ and I’m going to miss her presence and her artistry. We all are,” he said.

“Home Alone” director Chris Columbus said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter that he was “heartbroken, along with the rest of the world,” upon learning O’Hara had died.

“I was an obsessive fan of Catherine’s brilliant comedic work on ‘SCTV’ and was thrilled when she agreed to play Kevin’s mom in ‘Home Alone,’ ” Columbus said.

“What most people don’t realize is that Catherine carries the weight of 50% of that film. The movie simply would not work without her extraordinary performance. Catherine grounds the picture with a profound emotional depth,” he added. “I will miss her greatly. Yet there is a small sense of comfort, realizing that two of the finest human beings I’ve ever known, Catherine and John Candy, are together again, brilliantly improvising, making each other laugh.”

Meryl Streep, who acted with O’Hara in the romantic comedy “Heartburn,” said in a statement to the Associated Press that O’Hara “brought love and light to our world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.”

Andrea Martin told the outlet that her fellow “SCTV” cast member “is and will always be the greatest. It is an honor to have called her my friend.”

Pedro Pascal, who worked with O’Hara on the sophomore season of “The Last of Us,” said on Instagram that he was thankful the two crossed paths.

“Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful,” Pascal said. “There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.”

Melanie Lynskey, who featured in the first season of “The Last of Us,” called O’Hara “the pinnacle of greatness” in her own social media salute.

“So grateful I got to tell her what she meant to me- how she inspired me, shaped my sense of humour and understanding of the work we do,” Lynskey wrote.

“I’m sure every actor she met told her similar things. She did not behave as though she’d heard it a million times, she listened and accepted it with grace and wit and tremendous kindness,” the Emmy nominee added.

Lynskey recalled interacting with O’Hara at a 2013 Live Read of “Glengarry Glen Ross” and while filming Sam Mendes’ 2009 romantic comedy “Away We Go.”

During both stints, Lynskey said, “I saw [O’Hara] be nothing short of wonderful to every single person she encountered, from the director to the PAs.”

“When people say someone ‘lit up a room,’ this is what they mean,” she said.

“The Last of Us” showrunner Craig Mazin said on Instagram, “I think [O’Hara] would prefer that we keep laughing somehow, or at the very least not cry. Not possible at the moment.”

Others in the industry hailed O’Hara as a generational actor who shined in everything she touched.

“Catherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of ‘Home Alone’ to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again,” Kevin Nealon, who, alongside O’Hara, led the claymation sitcom “Glenn Martin, DDS,” wrote on X.

Josh Gad, who worked with O’Hara on the animated comedy series “Central Park,” expressed his disbelief at her death on Instagram.

“Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime,” Gad said.

“Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs,” the “Frozen” voice actor added.

“Only one Catherine O’Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking,” echoed actor-comedian Michael McKean, who worked with the late actor on the mockumentaries “Best in Show,” “For Your Consideration,” “Waiting for Guffman” and “A Mighty Wind.”

O’Hara’s fellow “Bartok the Magnificent” voice actor Hank Azaria called her death “a profound loss.”

“Comedy will never be the same without Catherine O’Hara. An inspiration to us all, especially little Bartok,” Azaria captioned a social media clip featuring O’Hara’s character, Ludmilla, in the animated film.

Rita Wilson in an Instagram tribute called her “a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did.”

“You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family,” the actor and singer said, offering condolences to O’Hara’s husband, Bo Welch, and their two children.

As Ellen DeGeneres put it on Instagram, “Sending love to all who adored her, which might just be everyone.”

Actor and professional wrestler Paul Walter Hauser called O’Hara “my Meryl Streep.”

“I could watch her in anything. Didn’t matter how good or bad the film or show was. I wanted to see what she would do,” Hauser wrote on Instagram, citing the actor’s work in “After Hours,” “Waiting for Guffman” and “Best in Show,” among other projects.

“A freaking angel just went home to Heaven. And she’s not home alone,” he wrote.

Tributes have poured in for beloved Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, the Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek star who died this week at age 71.

US media outlets reported on Friday that O’Hara died at her Los Angeles home after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara began her acting career in the 1970s at The Second City improvisational theatre and later performed on iconic Canadian comedy show SCTV.

Her break into movies came in 1980 with Double Negative, alongside her longtime collaborator Eugene Levy, as well as John Candy.

But she became widely known to a global audience when she played Macaulay Culkin’s mother in 1990’s Home Alone.

“It’s a perfect movie, isn’t it?” she told People magazine in 2024. “You want to be part of something good, and that’s how you go.”

More recently, younger audiences embraced O’Hara for her role as the matriarch of a rich family that loses its wealth in Schitt’s Creek, where she again starred alongside Levy, as well as his son, Dan.

Her turn as Moira Rose won her an Emmy award for best actress in a comedy series in 2020.

Here’s a look at how actors, politicians and others are remembering O’Hara:

Macaulay Culkin

“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,” Culkin wrote on Instagram.

Eugene Levy

Levy got his start alongside O’Hara at Second City and on SCTV, and he later starred with her in several projects, including Christopher Guest’s Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and Waiting for Guffman.

In a statement, Levy said “words seem inadequate to express the loss” he felt after her death. “I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years,” he said.

“From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on Schitt’s Creek, I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her.

“My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and the entire O’Hara family.”

Dan Levy

“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” Levy, who played O’Hara’s character’s son David Rose on Schitt’s Creek, wrote on Instagram.

“Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

“Over 5 decades of work, Catherine earned her place in the canon of Canadian comedy — from SCTV to Schitt’s Creek,” Carney wrote on X.

“Canada has lost a legend. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who loved her work on screen. She will be dearly missed.”

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Trudeau hailed O’Hara as “a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart”.

“She made people laugh across generations and helped bring Canadian storytelling to the world in a way only she could. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone who found joy in her work,” Trudeau wrote on X.

Seth Rogen

Rogen, who starred alongside O’Hara in the series The Studio, said he told O’Hara when he first met her that he thought “she was the funniest person [he’d] ever had the pleasure of watching on screen”.

“Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour,” Rogen wrote in an Instagram post.

“She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous … she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”

FOLLOWING the tragic news of actress Catherine O’Hara’s passing at the age of 71 following a short illness, her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin paid a touching tribute to his “mama”.

The two starred in the iconic film together back in 1990, where he played the mischievous Kevin McCallister  while she portrayed the role of Kate, his long-suffering mum.

They reunited two years later for the sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and have continued to share a mother and son bond over the years.

The pair showed just how close they are when she honoured him at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.

As the world mourns the legendary actress, let’s take a look at her relationship with Macaulay and their extremely close bond…

Heartfelt Tribute

Macaulay was one of the first to pay tribute to the Schitt’s Creek star as he posted two pictures from Home Alone and the Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony on his Instagram.

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He penned: “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,” the 45-year-old signed off.

Heartbroken Home Alone fans flocked to the comments section as one said: “Oh my god, I can’t believe it. Rest in peace Catherine. Thank you for taking care of Kevin.”

Another social media user penned: “A part of our childhood has been shattered today. Heartbroken.”

Hollywood Walk of Fame reunion

She attended his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023 and honoured him as he received his star.

Catherine gushed in her speech: “Home Alone was, is and always will be a beloved global sensation… the reason families all over the world can’t let a year go by without watching and loving Home Alone together is because of Macaulay Culkin.”

She went on to praise his professionalism and passion for acting, as well as bringing his “sweet and twisted yet totally relatable humour” to every project.

“Macaulay, congratulations. You so deserve your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“And thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I’m so proud of you,” she joked.

Mother and son bond

Despite it being more than three and a half decades since Home Alone released, the co-stars have continued to share a deep bond with one another.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live! In 2015, she revealed the two had a sweet reunion at an art opening.

“He was coming out and he went, ‘Mommy!’ and I said, ‘Baby’,” Catherine told host Andy Cohen.

He also confirmed that he called her “mom” each time her saw her, proving their bond was unmatched.

Macaulay told New York Times in 2024: “She opens up her arms – she goes, ‘Son’.”

On-screen reunion

The much-loved duo delighted fans back in 2024 when they reunited on-screen for a Christmas ad for Freedom Unlimited alongside Kevin Hart.

Catherine was seen walking into a shopping mall before shouting out her iconic “KEVIN!” dialogue.

The co-stars shared a warm embrace, with Kevin joining in on the hug with the two.

Excited fans couldn’t believe their eyes as one gushed: “This is hysterical. I love these nostalgic commercials.”

Somebody else added: “So beautiful, a home alone reunion.”

Co-star chemistry

Macaulay and Catherine’s on-screen camaraderie translated off-screen, with many Home Alone fans believing they were actually mother and son in real life.

She recalled to Today in 2024: “A child came up to me, like, a little 8-year-old, in a mall. ‘Are you Kevin’s mom?’

“I said, ‘Well, yeah, I played Kevin’s mom in a movie, yes’.

‘Why did you leave him?’ ‘Sorry. It was in the script!’,” she remembered.

Speaking to PEOPLE back in 1990, when the film first released, Catherine described then 9-year-old Macaulay as ”a darling little guy who has been acting since he was 4, so he’s very professional.”

“He comes in knowing all his lines, knowing where to hit his marks — he even knows all the other actors’ lines.

“I expect he should become the head of the studio by the time he is 12,” she joked.

CHILLING dispatch audio has revealed screen legend Catherine O’Hara was “struggling to breathe” before she died early on Friday morning.

O’Hara, 71, best known for her roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek, was reportedly rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in a serious condition.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to reports of a medical emergency after a 911 call was placed from her Brentwood home at 4.48am.

Dispatch audio obtained by PageSix revealed the actress was having difficulty breathing in her final moments.

Tragically, she passed away hours later in hospital.

A cause of death has not yet been confirmed, though her talent agency CAA said she suffered from a “brief illness” just before her death.

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O’Hara is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew, 31, and Luke, 29.

Tributes to the comedy icon have begun to pour in from across Hollywood after her untimely death.

Macaulay Culkin, who starred as the actress’s son in the Home Alone films, remembered O’Hara as “mama” in a heartbreaking post on Instagram.

“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,” Culkin wrote.

“I love you. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara played Kate McCallister, the mother of Culkin’s character, Kevin, in the first two Home Alone movies.

Catherine O’Hara dead at 71

Iconic Home Alone actress Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, 2026. O’Hara was 71.

Biography:

• Catherine O’Hara, who was born in Toronto, Canada, began her acting career in comedy in 1974 after joining the cast of The Second City, which was televised in both Canada and the United States.
• O’Hara expanded her career in television in the mid-1970s, appearing in small roles on the CBC series Wayne and Shuster, the film The Rimshots, and the children’s series Coming up Rosie.
• She gained prominence in Hollywood in the 1980s, after she was cast in the classic horror-comedy film Beetlejuice.
• Starring alongside Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder, O’Hara portrayed Delia Deetz.
• In 1990, O’Hara starred alongside child actor Macaulay Culkin in the holiday blockbuster Home Alone.
• She reprised her role as Kate McCallister, the mother of the young troublemaker Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Culkin, in the film’s 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
• Both installments of Home Alone were massive hits at the box office, and to this date, remain among the most successful Christmas movies of all time.
• After the success of Home Alone, O’Hara continued to appear in several films throughout the 1990s, including the comedy-drama The Paper, Waiting for Guffman, and the Western film Wyatt Earp.
• O’Hara also had several voice artist appearances, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little, and Monster House, among others.
• She had a career resurgence in 2015 when she appeared as Moira Rose in the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek.
• In 2025, O’Hara had a main role in the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio.
• Throughout her career, O’Hara received various awards, including two PrimeTime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
• She had two children with her husband, Bo Welch, whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice.

AWAY FROM THE SPOTLIGHT

O’Hara skipped the Golden Globes on January 11, despite receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Performance by a Female Actor for her role in the Apple+ TV series The Studio.

It was not clear why she did not attend the ceremony.

She made her last public appearance on September 14, 2025, posing on the red carpet with Welch at Apple TV’s Emmys party in West Hollywood.

Days earlier, she was all smiles at a Toronto Film Festival party.

As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported on Friday, she was expected to film Season 2 of The Studio in mid-January, but did not appear on set.

O’Hara’s plans were changed at the last minute due to “personal matters,” a source claimed.

“She was scheduled to film, but they reworked the schedule to focus on scenes without her character,” the source said.

“It was not widely known she was dealing with any health or major issues.

“I don’t believe she ever filmed anything for season two,” the production insider claimed.

Catherine’s unexpected passing has sent shockwaves through the cast and crew of the Apple+ TV series, who were completely blindsided by the tragic news.

LONG, STORIED CAREER

O’Hara was born in Toronto, Canada, before moving to the United States.

Her career spanned more than 50 years, stretching across TV, movies, and sketch comedy.

She started out in sketch series Second City Television in the mid-1970s.

O’Hara won an Emmy as part of the show.

But she shot to superstardom in the beloved 1990 Christmas movie Home Alone, in which she played Kevin McCallister’s mother.

She remained close with onscreen son Macaulay Culkin, and supported the actor in 2023 at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Later in her career, she had a pop culture resurgence with smash hit comedy Schitt’s Creek, opposite her longtime friend Eugene Levy.

The show aired from 2015 until 2020, and earned O’Hara two Emmys for her role as eccentric former soap star Moira Rose.

She was featured in a documentary about late Home Alone co-star and close friend John Candy, which premiered in 2025.

O’Hara also stole scenes as heartbroken therapist Gail on The Last Of Us’ second season opposite Pedro Pascal.

Catherine O’Hara Tributes

Iconic actress Catherine O’Hara, who is best known for her role as Kate McCallister in the Christmas classic Home Alone, died on January 30, 2026. She was 71.

Tributes:

• Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin: 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.”
• Home Alone co-star Devin Ratray: “One of the greatest people I ever met. It just doesn’t register. Bewildered and numb.”
• The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal: “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. The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara.”
• Bravo host Andy Cohen: “Fell in love at first sight on SCTV and it only got stronger. Rest in Peace, Angel Catherine O’Hara.”
• Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux: “Catherine. You will be so so missed.”
• Comedian Tom Green: “I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime – from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other films and television classics. Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world. It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”

It is painful to have to write about Catherine O’Hara, so alive and lively a presence, in the past tense. O’Hara has lived inside my head — is it too corny to say my heart? — from “SCTV” to “Schitt’s Creek” to “The Studio,” on whose second season she was scheduled to start work, when she died, Friday at 71.

Any appearance constituted a recommendation for — a benediction upon — whatever she was appearing in; you felt she would only say yes to things that used her well, that sounded fun or interesting, and that her casting reflected well on the project and people who cast her. I think of her not as a careerist, but a Canadian. Of joining “Schitt’s Creek,” she said when I interviewed her in 2015, “it took me a few moments to commit, [but] I already trusted [co-creator, co-star] Eugene [Levy] as a writer and an actor, and as a good man who I could stand to spend time with.”

This is how it began for her, in Toronto, where her brother Marcus was dating Gilda Radner, who was in “Godspell” with Levy and Martin Short. “And it was really watching Gilda when I realized, ‘cause I’d always liked acting in school, that it was actually a local possibility. And then she got into Second City theater, and I was a waitress there — it’s like I stalked her — and then she did the show for a while and then took on a job for the National Lampoon. So I got to understudy or take her place — I got to join the cast, and Eugene was in it. It was really just the luck of having a professional actor suddenly in my life.”

As an “SCTV” early adopter, O’Hara was first attractive to me because she was funny, but she was also beautiful — a beauty she could subvert by a subtle or broad rearrangement of her features. Though fundamentally a comic actress, her characters could feel pained or tragic beneath the surface — even Lola Heatherton, one of her signature “SCTV” characters, an over-exuberant spangled entertainer (“I love you! I want to have your babies!” was a catch phrase) is built on desperation. Among many, many other parts, she played a teenaged Brooke Shields singing Devo’s “Whip It!,” Katherine Hepburn, a depressed Ingmar Bergman character, and, most memorably, chirpy teenage quiz show contestant Margaret Meehan, buzzing in with answers before the questions are asked, and growing tearfully undone as the host (Levy) becomes increasingly angry.

Elsewhere, she played a forgetful suburban mom in “Home Alone,” the work for which she’s arguably best known, given its ongoing mainstream popularity; an ice cream truck driver messing with Griffin Dunne in Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours”; and a tasteless art snob and indifferent mother in “Beetlejuice,” where she met her future husband, production designer Bo Welch. She shone in three Christopher Guest movies, paired with Fred Willard in “Waiting for Guffman” as community stars; opposite Levy in “Best in Show,” as a dog handler with a lot of ex-boyfriends; with Levy again in “A Mighty Wind,” as a reuniting ‘60s folk duo; and in “For Your Consideration” as an aging actress dreaming of an Oscar. In the great Netflix miniseries “A Series of Unfortunate Events” (also designed by Welch), she played an evil optometrist, the sometime girlfriend of Neil Patrick Harris’ Count Olaf, dark, cold, sexy. Last year, she picked up a supporting actress Emmy nomination as a dethroned but not knocked down executive in “The Studio”; she’s fierce and funny. And, though she was fundamentally a comic actress, she could play straight, as in the second season of “The Last of Us,” penetrating opposite Pedro Pascal as his therapist, and the widow of a man he killed.

Lived in across six, ever-richer seasons of “Schitt’s Creek,” Moira Rose is certainly her crowning achievement, a completely original, Emmy-winning creation whose quirks and complexities were embraced by a wide audience; going forth, she’ll be a reference to describe other characters — a “Moira Rose type” — with no explanation needed. With her original, breathy way of speaking, stressing odd syllables and stretching random vowels to the breaking point, her mad fashions and family of wigs, Moira is a sketch character with depth. Of all the Roses, she’s the one most resistant to adapting to their motel world, to coming down off the mountain, but she is as needy as she is condescending, and underlying her fantastic, tightly structured carapace is a fear that’s terribly moving when it shows through the cracks.

Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara in scene from “Schitt’s Creek.” The actors worked together frequently over the years.

(PopTV)

“I like to think she’s really threatened by this small-town life — because she’s been there, you know?” O’Hara said back when the series began. “That just makes it more threatening in my mind. And I like to think of her as more vulnerable than just snobby or superior. I think it’s way more insecure.”

Her tentative acceptance of her circumstance, as well as the show’s overarching arc, finds expression in the series finale, where, all white and gold, in flowing robes with long blonde locks cascading from beneath a bishop’s hat, she tearfully conducts the marriage of her son, David (co-creator Dan Levy). Speaking of a sort of wind of fate, she says, “All we can wish for our families, for those we love, is that that wind will eventually place us on solid ground. and I believe it’s done just that for my family in this little town, in the middle of nowhere.” You might cry, too.

I had the luck to speak with O’Hara several times over the run of the series. The last was in Canada, a day or two before the last day of filming. We sat on the apron of the Rosebud Motel, looking across the muddy parking lot to where fans were gathered on the road above.

“They’re there as much for each other as for us. It’s almost that we don’t have to be there, but we brought them together somehow.” That’s what actors and the stories they tell, give us — the joy, and sometimes the pain: A world of strangers, united in this awful moment, out of love for Catherine O’Hara.

She portrayed a spoiled socialite turned impoverished rural motel manager in “Schitt’s Creek.” She played a self-centered stepmom who, when possessed by an evil entity, channeled Harry Belafonte’s voice singing “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” in 1988’s “Beetlejuice.” She was the harried, forgetful mom who left her son behind in “Home Alone,” a goofy ‘90s comedy that would become a Christmas classic.

Catherine O’Hara, who died Friday at the age of 71, brought to life dozens of characters over her 50-year career across film and television, and no two of her performances were alike. She might play an eccentric artist one moment, an insufferable snob the next, then a deceptively “normal” housewife, animating each with their own personality, quirks and ticks.

Though a comedic performer at heart, O’Hara, as they say, had range. From her recurring role as a grieving therapist in Season 2 of HBO’s dystopian drama “The Last of Us” to voicing and acting a plethora of bizarre characters in Tim Burton‘s films, O’Hara made her mark. Here are 10 of her most memorable roles.

Death in Paradise is back for series 15 and new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher will be joining the team in Saint Marie – here’s everything you need to know about the character

Death in Paradise is gearing up for its 15th season, welcoming back familiar faces and introducing some fresh ones. Don Gilet will be reprising his role as DI Mervin Wilson, while Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington, makes a comeback to Saint Marie after a hiatus.

Elizabeth Bourgine’s Catherine Bordey, Shantol Jackson’s Sergeant Naomi Thomas, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah’s Officer Sebastian Rose are all set to return for the 15th season. However, viewers will also meet a new face, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher.

Described as having a “rebellious” streak, Mattie is a fantastic addition to the Saint Marie squad. She’s brought to life by actress Catherine Garton, who steps into the cast following Ginny Holder’s departure from her role as Darlene Curtis. But what can BBC viewers anticipate from newcomer Mattie, and who is the actress behind her?

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Death in Paradise series 15, reports the Express.

Who is Sergeant Mattie Fletcher?

Sergeant Mattie Fletcher is the latest addition to the Saint Marie team. She’ll make her debut in season 15, episode 1, with Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) helping Mattie find her feet.

However, settling in might prove more challenging than expected as secrets from her past start to surface.

Discussing what audiences can anticipate from Sergeant Mattie, Don Gilet, who portrays DI Mervin Wilson, explained: “There’s definitely something of a rebel in Mattie. We haven’t had that rebellious element, really. She’s a bit younger, probably a similar age, give or take, to Officer Seb Rose, but she’s seen a lot more.

“She’s a sergeant and she’s more experienced and is always on the front foot, whereas Seb is going through his rookie stripes. It’s great seeing how the two of them connect – there’s a nurturing side as well as a rebellious side. She’s a great addition to the team.”

Who is Catherine Garton?

Catherine Garton, who portrays Mattie, described her character as “tenacious,” adding: “She’s really fun to play. She’s sassy, but she’s like your big sister who will tell you what’s what, but you can also come to her if you need to. You can have a laugh with her. She’s very passionate about things, about her work and about the people that she grows to love, especially in the team. She’s also very determined, almost too determined sometimes..”

She went on: “Audiences can expect some action. Someone who’s lovable and who’s trying their best, but almost to a fault. She has something to prove to herself and to others and sometimes she can do that to her detriment, but it comes from a place of passion. They will see ups, downs and lots of sass!”.

Catherine Garton takes on the role of new recruit Mattie, having previously appeared in The Gray House as Talulah and Ibiza Narcos as Kelly. Catherine recently graced our screens in Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

This festive BBC series featured Catherine as Corporal Jane Hart throughout all four episodes.

The filming for the spin-off concluded in 2024, and it was only after wrapping up that Catherine learned she had secured the role of Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, a new regular on Death in Paradise. She amusingly revealed that she was shopping in TK Maxx when her agent broke the news.

She recalled: “I was in the shoe section, one shoe off, sliding another one on and my agent called me and told me. It was a moment!”.

Speaking about her experience filming in Guadeloupe, where the fictional town of Saint Marie is located, Catherine enthused: “I loved it – everyone was really welcoming. Before going to Guadeloupe, I didn’t quite know what to anticipate, then it exceeded any expectations I could have had. I love the island. Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It’s quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like ‘this exists, wow!’. It’s absolutely stunning. Everyone’s nice. I love the culture. The food’s great. Everyone I work with is great. I don’t have any complaints!”.

When asked about meeting the rest of the cast and crew, Catherine admitted: “It was intimidating at first, because this is the biggest kind of role I’ve ever had, but everyone was just so nice and so welcoming. I remember the first time I saw Shantol and the biggest smile ever. I feel like I have family there now.”

Death in Paradise season 15 kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Friday, 30 January.

CATHERINE O’Hara has died unexpectedly on Friday, months after her final appearance alongside her husband Bo Welch.

Fans are reeling following the announcement, which did not reveal the Schitt’s Creek star’s cause of death.

Catherine, 71 when she died, made her final appearance alongside her husband Bo back in September.

Photos show the couple dressed to the nines.

The Home Alone actress is wearing a black gown while her hubby sports a chic suit.

Her shoulder-length blonde hair was down with a slight curl in the ends.

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She wore subtle makeup, including a nude lipstick color.

Catherine appeared in good spirits during the evening out.

She and Bo posed for photos together.

At times, he stood behind her with his hands on her hips.

OUT OF SIGHT

Months later, Catherine was nominated for a Golden Globe award.

She was schedule to appear at the January 11 awards show, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Performance from a Female Actor for her role in the Apple TV series, The Studio.

Unfortunately, she did not attend.

RIP

TMZ broke the news of Catherine’s death on Friday afternoon.

Sources with direct knowledge confirmed the iconic actress’ passing to the outlet.

A cause of death was not immediately available for the star.

Catherine O’Hara dead at 71

Iconic Home Alone actress Catherine O’Hara died on January 30, 2026. O’Hara was 71.

Biography:

• Catherine O’Hara, who was born in Toronto, Canada, began her acting career in comedy in 1974 after joining the cast of The Second City, which was televised in both Canada and the United States.
• O’Hara expanded her career in television in the mid-1970s, appearing in small roles on the CBC series Wayne and Shuster, the film The Rimshots, and the children’s series Coming up Rosie.
• She gained prominence in Hollywood in the 1980s, after she was cast in the classic horror-comedy film Beetlejuice.
• Starring alongside Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder, among others, O’Hara portrayed Delia Deetz.
• In 1990, O’Hara starred alongside child actor Macaulay Culkin in the holiday blockbuster Home Alone.
• She reprised her role as Kate McCallister, the mother of the young troublemaker Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Culkin, in the film’s 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
• Both installments of Home Alone were massive hits at the box office and to this date remain among the most successful Christmas movies of all time.
• After the success of Home Alone, O’Hara continued to appear in several films throughout the 1990s, including the comedy-drama The Paper, Waiting for Guffman, and the Western film Wyatt Earp.
• O’Hara also had several voice artist appearances, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little, and Monster House, among others.
• She had a career resurgence in 2015 when she appeared as Moira Rose in the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek.
• In 2025, O’Hara had a main role in the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio.
• Throughout her career, O’Hara received various awards, including two PrimeTime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
• She had two children with her husband, Bo Welch, whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice.

While the exact cause of death has not been revealed, Page Six reported that she was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital in “serious” condition.

Paramedics were called the the actress’ home home at 4:48 a.m. on Friday morning, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to the outlet.

She was in “serious condition” when she was transported to the hospital.

PAYING TRIBUTE

Tributes to the actress flooded social media almost immediately after her death was announced.

“RIP Catherine O’ Hara. I know John Candy greeted her with open arms.”, one fan wrote.

Another posted on X: “Catherine O’Hara was an absolute genius for the entirety of her career.

“She will be terribly missed.”

A third posted: “Catherine O’Hara will be remembered most as the mom in the first two Home Alone movies

“But I’ll always remember her as Delia Deetz in BeetleJuice. RIP to a legend.”

ICONIC ROLES

Throughout her long career in Hollywood, Catherine appeared in many iconic films and TV shows.

She was an actress for more than 50 years.

Catherine got her star in the sketch series Second City Television in the 1970s.

She’s known for starring in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone 2, Schitt’s Creek and more.