Hollywood actress and celebrated comedian Catherine O’Hara, best known for her iconic roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71.
Her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), confirmed on Saturday that O’Hara passed away on Friday at her home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. The cause of death was not disclosed.
In a tribute shared on its Instagram page, CAA described O’Hara as a rare talent whose impact on comedy and storytelling spanned generations. The agency quoted tributes from leading figures in the film industry, including director Martin Scorsese, who called her “a true comic genius, a true artist, and a wonderful human being.”
Actor Seth Rogen described her as “the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen,” while filmmaker Christopher Guest hailed her as “one of the comic giants of our age.”
Reflecting on her career, CAA noted that O’Hara brought “trademark wit, energy and exceptional comedic talent” to every role she played, from her early days on SCTV to her Emmy-winning performance as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. Her agent, Toni Howard, said it was “pure joy” representing her for 35 years.
O’Hara rose to global fame for portraying the frantic yet devoted mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in the first two Home Alone films, performances that endeared her to audiences worldwide.
She later gained renewed acclaim and a new generation of fans for her role in Schitt’s Creek, appearing in 80 episodes of the award-winning series and earning an Emmy Award for her performance.
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Her extensive filmography includes Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), Beetlejuice, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, among many other projects that cemented her status as one of comedy’s most distinctive and respected performers.
A Canadian native, O’Hara began her career in improvisational comedy and went on to enjoy a decades-long career across film, television, and stage.
She is survived by her family and leaves behind an enduring legacy in comedy and popular culture, remembered not only for her unforgettable characters but also for the warmth, intelligence, and originality she brought to every performance.