Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning comic actress whose career spanned more than five decades and whose unforgettable performances endeared her to millions, has died at the age of 71.

The celebrated Canadian-American star passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her representatives at Creative Artists Agency confirmed.

Her death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and around the world, as fans, colleagues and admirers remember a performer whose vibrant presence and comedic genius helped define multiple eras of film and television.

Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara began her journey in the performing arts with Toronto’s famed Second City theatre, where she honed her improvisational skills alongside fellow comedians.

Her early work on SCTV showcased a sharp wit and versatile talent that would become her trademark, earning her an Emmy Award for writing in 1982.

This early recognition was just the beginning of a career that would later touch so many lives.

O’Hara’s talent soon drew attention beyond comedy sketches, and she began to land roles in feature films that revealed her remarkable range.

She appeared in iconic movies such as Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, where her quirky charm added depth to the surreal world of the film, and in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours, earning critical praise for her sheer presence on screen.

But for many, her role as Kevin McCallister’s resourceful mother in the Home Alone films became an enduring cultural touchstone, blending warmth, exasperation and comic timing in a way that few performers could replicate.

Despite her success in film, it was television that would bring O’Hara perhaps her most beloved role.

In the mid-2010s, she rose to international fame as the eccentric and unforgettable Moira Rose on the sitcom Schitt’s Creek, a performance that won her a Primetime Emmy Award and captured the hearts of audiences around the world.

Her portrayal of Moira, with her dazzling delivery, outrageous wardrobe and heartfelt vulnerability, became one of the defining comic achievements of her generation, securing her legacy as a truly special talent.

Throughout her career, O’Hara demonstrated an extraordinary ability to navigate both broad comedy and deeply human moments.

She collaborated frequently with director Christopher Guest on ensemble mockumentary films such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, where her improvisational gift and emotional acuity elevated ensemble casts and delighted critics and audiences alike.

In her later years, O’Hara continued to expand her artistic reach, earning nominations for her work in Apple TV+’s comedy series The Studio, in which she starred alongside Seth Rogen, and appearing in acclaimed dramas including The Last of Us, where her performance drew praise for its depth and intensity.

These roles underscored not only her enduring versatility but also her willingness to take creative risks well into her seventies.

While the official cause of her death has not been disclosed, reports indicated that she experienced breathing difficulties and was rushed to a hospital before her passing.

Her family has announced that they will hold a private celebration of her life, honoring her contributions to the world, both on screen and off.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, production designer Bo Welch, whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.

The outpouring of tributes to O’Hara has been immense and heartfelt.

Macaulay Culkin, the actor she famously played the mother to in Home Alone, paid poignant tribute on social media, writing emotionally about their enduring bond and the void her passing leaves behind.

Pedro Pascal, her co-star in The Last of Us, remembered her as a “genius” and a guiding light, while other colleagues including Ron Howard, Eugene Levy, and Rita Wilson shared stories highlighting her kindness, humor and creative brilliance.

Critics and peers alike have underscored the rare combination of comic prowess and emotional depth that O’Hara brought to every role.

She had the ability to make audiences laugh uproariously, then touch them profoundly with moments of vulnerability and truth.

Her work on Schitt’s Creek in particular helped inspire a new generation of performers and viewers alike, proving that character-driven comedy could be both sharp and deeply compassionate.

Her influence extended beyond her performances; she helped break barriers for women in comedy and television, bringing a uniquely bold and intelligent voice to her characters.

She lived with a rare medical condition known as situs inversus totalis, which she once joked about, demonstrating her capacity to find humor and curiosity even in personal challenges.

For fans around the world, O’Hara’s work provided laughter, comfort and insight across generations.

From family holiday classics to groundbreaking television comedies, her presence was a constant reminder of the power of great acting to entertain, provoke and connect us.

She will be remembered not only for the characters she embodied, but for the warmth, humor and humanity she brought to every performance.

As the world mourns the loss of Catherine O’Hara, her legacy remains woven into the fabric of film and television history — a testament to a remarkable life lived with creativity, joy and a singular gift for making audiences feel unforgettable moments through laughter and heart.