Farewell, Catherine O’Hara
Image: Maksim Brenner
Tributes have been flowing following the death of beloved film and television matriarch Catherine O’Hara over the weekend.
Her death at the age of 71 following a brief illness was confirmed to media by her representatives on Friday (US time). Catherine O’Hara suffered a medical emergency at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, with reports she was having difficulty breathing.
Although no official cause of death has been declared, Catherine had previously revealed she was born with a rare genetic condition known as Situs Inversus in which her organs are positioned on the opposite side of the body.
A beloved comedic actress, Catherine is best known for her roles as Macaulay Culkin’s on-screen mother Kate McCallister in the ‘Home Alone’ films and Moira Rose in the television series ‘Schitt’s Creek’.
She was a prominent feature of many ‘90s films, including Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas, reprising the role of Delia Deetz for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ in 2024.
Catherine O’Hara was born in Toronto, Canada and started her career with the improvisational sketch comedy programme ‘Second City Television’, where she met lifelong friend and future ‘Schitt’s Creek’ co-star Eugene Levy.
“Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today,” Levy said in a heartfelt tribute.
“I had the honour of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over 50 years … 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.”
Among those paying tribute are Macaulay Culkin, Seth Rogen, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Dan Levy, Michael Keaton, Pedro Pascal, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and countless more. Catherine O’Hara is fondly remembered for her exceptional comedic talent as well as her warmth and generosity off-screen.
“Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin, who played Kevin McCallister in the ‘Home Alone’ films, posted.
“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.”
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Pedro Pascal, who co-starred with O’Hara in the second season of post-apocalyptic drams ‘The Last Of Us’, wrote on Instagram:
“There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.”
Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew and Luke. The family will hold a private celebration of her life.
