Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Emmy-winning actress whose career spanned from legendary sketch comedy to era-defining roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, passed away on Friday, January 30. She was 71.
The Canadian-born icon died at her residence in Los Angeles following a “brief illness,” according to a statement confirmed by her agency, CAA. No further details regarding her passing have been released at this time.
O’Hara’s formidable journey in entertainment began in the 1970s at Toronto’s Second City. It was there that she established a lifelong creative partnership with Eugene Levy, who would later play her husband in the hit series Schitt’s Creek. The duo was part of the original ensemble of SCTV, the influential sketch show that acted as a springboard for other comedy luminaries, including Martin Short and Andrea Martin.
While she was a master of comedy, O’Hara recently garnered critical acclaim for her dramatic versatility. She earned an Emmy nomination for her guest appearance in HBO’s The Last of Us and was recognized for her role as a high-powered producer in The Studio.
Her filmography remains a treasure trove of cinematic history, featuring unforgettable performances in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and its recent sequel, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the beloved mockumentaries A Mighty Wind and Best in Show.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
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