Catherine O'Hara, the Emmy-winning actor known for comedic roles across the decades, from Kevin’s beleaguered mother in Home Alone to Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, has died aged 71.
Canadian-born O’Hara died at her home in Los Angeles "following a brief illness", according to a statement from her agency, CAA. Further details were not immediately available.
O’Hara was an alumnus of Toronto’s Second City Theatre and was one of the creators of the sketch comedy show SCTV.
Her career was launched at Second City in the 1970s. It was there that she first worked with Eugene Levy, who would become a lifelong collaborator — and her Schitt’s Creek co-star.
Schitt's Creek ran for six seasons from 2015-2020 and also starred Canadian actress Annie Murphy, Daniel Levy, Emily Hampshire and Noah Reid.
Described as a reversal-of-fortunes story, it follows the once-wealthy Rose family who are forced to move to the fictional town of Schitt’s Creek – which they once purchased as a joke – after they lose everything.
Daniel and Eugene starred as father and son duo David and Johnny Rose on screen while Murphy starred as ditzy daughter Alexis Rose, alongside family matriarch and fallen actress Moira Rose.
O'Hara’s dramatic turn in HBO’s The Last of Us earned her an Emmy nomination, as did her recent role as a Hollywood producer in The Studio.
Actor Macaulay Culkin led the tributes to O'Hara, who starred as his mother in Home Alone.
In an Instagram post, Culkin said: "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."
O’Hara played Culkin’s mother Kate in the 1990 classic Christmas movie Home Alone, in which he starred as enterprising youngster Kevin McCallister, who pits his wits against two bumbling intruders after his family accidentally go on holiday without him.
Culkin reprised the role in 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, with O’Hara also starring again.
O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew and Luke.
