TORONTO, January 30, 2026 — Legendary Toronto comedy icon, famous for her iconic roles on Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice, and Home Alone, Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71 after a brief illness.
No further details have been released at this time.
Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara honed her comedic improv skills at The Second City before moving on to the iconic Toronto sketch comedy show SCTV, along with other Canadian comedy legends, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, and, of course, her Schitt’s Creek co-star, Eugene Levy.
Famous for her role as Delia in the 80s smash hit, Beetlejuice, Kevin’s Mom, Kate McCallister in ’90s blockbusters Home Alone and Home Alone 2, O’Hara really became a Canadian Icon as the flamboyant hilariously captivating, Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek.
Catherine O’Hara was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and also inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame for her contributions to film, comedy and television.
photo by Tabercil , CC BY-SA 3.0,
Although her cause of death has not been released, O’Hara was born with a rare defect called dextrocardia with situs inversus. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Situs inversus occurs when the organs in your chest and belly develop in a reversed position of normal anatomy. “Various genetic mutations cause the condition. Situs inversus can develop on its own, but it’s often linked with other defects or issues. People with situs inversus can lead normal lives. The outlook for people with other defects varies.”
According to a report from Page Six, Catherine O’Hara was rushed to hospital in ‘serious’ condition in early morning hours, where she later died.
O’Hara’s agency said she passed away “following a brief illness,” but an official cause of death hasn’t been announced.
Heartfelt tributes for the Canadian Icon poured out on social media after the sad news was confirmed. Home Alone co-star, Macaulay Culkin expressed his love for his TV ‘Mama’.
“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,” posted Culkin.
Canadian music legend, Michael Bublé took to ‘x’ to pour his heart out:
“Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it. Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words. She wasn’t just a legendary artist, actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest sense: brilliant, fearless, deeply original, and so full of humanity. She made the world laugh, but she also made people feel seen,” said Bublé.
Another Canadian comedy legend, Ottawa’s Tom Green posted: “Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world. It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”
lead photo By John Sears CC BY-SA 4.0
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