Canadian actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71.
Catherine O’Hara dies aged 71
Her manager confirmed the news on Friday, Jan. 30, telling PEOPLE that the much-loved performer had passed away. No cause of death or other details have been released. TMZ was the first portal to report her death.
O’Hara has been widely celebrated for her sharp comic timing and distinctive screen presence, with a career spanning several decades across film, television and theatre.
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She is best known for her memorable roles in Beetlejuice and Home Alone, as well as her long-term collaboration with filmmaker Christopher Guest on mockumentaries such as Best in Show. In later years, she reached a new generation of viewers with her acclaimed performance in the television series Schitt’s Creek.
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Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara grew up in a large family as the second youngest of seven children. Her father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, while her mother was employed as a real estate agent. Her first stage experience came as a child, when she played the Virgin Mary in a production of the Nativity.
Catherine O’Hara is considered one of the most influential comic artists of her generation, with a career spanning more than five decades across film, television and theatre. Known for her sharp wit, expressive physical comedy and emotional range, she built a body of work that shaped modern film comedy.
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O’Hara rose to prominence in the late 1970s as a cast member of the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television (SCTV). Working with artists such as Eugene Levy, John Candy, Rick Moranis and Andrea Martin, she became known for creating memorable characters and incisive parodies.
Her work on SCTV earned her critical acclaim and laid the foundation for her longtime creative partnership with Levy.
In cinema, O’Hara became a household name through a series of popular and enduring films. She starred as Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988) and gave a performance that mixed eccentric humor with theatrical flair.
She later appeared as Kevin McCallister’s frantic mother in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), roles that introduced her to a global audience and remain cultural touchstones.
O’Hara also became a key figure in director Christopher Guest’s ensemble mockumentaries, a genre she helped define. Her performances in Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006) have been widely praised for their improvisational brilliance and emotional depth. These films cemented her reputation as an actor capable of mixing satire with genuine pathos.
On television, O’Hara achieved renewed recognition for her role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020). Her portrayal of the former soap opera star won her several awards, including a Primetime Emmy, and introduced her work to a new generation of viewers. The character’s exaggerated diction, dramatic wardrobe, and unexpected vulnerability became central to the show’s success and cultural impact.
In addition to live-action roles, O’Hara has also lent her voice to animated projects including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Over the Hedge and Frankenweenie, further demonstrating her versatility.
O’Hara’s legacy lies not only in the popularity of her films and series, but also in her influence on ensemble comedy and character-driven humor. Often praised by peers and critics alike, she is often cited as an artist who elevates any project she is involved in, balancing comedy with emotional intelligence.
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