Comedy Legend Catherine O’Hara Passes Away at 71 Following Brief Illness

New Delhi, january 31, 2026: The world of entertainment is in mourning following the death of beloved Canadian-American actress and comedy icon Catherine O’Hara. The Emmy-winning star, known for her legendary roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, and Beetlejuice, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the age of 71.

Her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), confirmed that O’Hara died at her home in Los Angeles following what they described as a “brief illness.”

A Sudden Emergency

Reports indicate that the tragedy unfolded rapidly in the early hours of Friday morning. According to emergency dispatch records, paramedics were called to O’Hara’s Brentwood residence at approximately 4:48 a.m. following reports that she was experiencing severe breathing difficulties.

First responders transported the actress to a nearby hospital in “serious condition.” Despite the efforts of medical staff, she passed away several hours later. While the official cause of death has not been publicly released, the sudden nature of her illness has left fans and colleagues in shock.

Legacy of a “Rare Heart”

In the wake of her passing, many have looked back at O’Hara’s unique health history. She was born with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare congenital condition where the heart and other major organs are positioned in a “mirror image” on the opposite side of the body. While O’Hara often joked about her condition—famously calling herself a “freak” with her trademark wit—medical experts generally consider it harmless, and it is currently unknown if it played any role in her final illness.

Tributes Pour In

The news of her death sparked an immediate outpouring of grief from the global comedy community and former co-stars:

• Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in Home Alone, shared a moving tribute on Instagram: “Mama… I thought we had more time. I wanted to say more. I love you. See you later.”
• Eugene Levy, her longtime collaborator from SCTV and Schitt’s Creek, described her as a “genius” and a “dear friend” whose talent was only matched by her kindness.
• Mike Myers released a statement calling it a “sad day for comedy and for Canada,” noting she was an inspiration to millions.

A Career Without Parallel

O’Hara’s career spanned over five decades, beginning with the groundbreaking sketch comedy series SCTV. She became a household name in the 1990s as the frantic Kate McCallister in Home Alone and recently experienced a massive career resurgence as the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, a role that won her an Emmy and became a cultural phenomenon.

Just months before her death, O’Hara had completed work on the upcoming season of The Last of Us and the series The Studio, proving that even in her 70s, she remained at the absolute peak of her craft.

“She had a way of making the most absurd characters feel deeply, pivotally human,” noted one tribute. “There will never be another Moira Rose, and there will never be another Catherine.”

O’Hara is survived by her husband of over 30 years, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.