Catherine O'Hara Dies at 71, Leaving Behind Five Decades of Laughter

One scream changed everything. "Kevin!" echoed through theaters in 1990, and Catherine O'Hara became the mother every moviegoer knew.

The Canadian comedy legend died Friday at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness, her agent confirmed to the BBC. She was 71.

From Toronto Waitress to Global Icon

O'Hara's path to stardom began unconventionally. In the 1970s, she worked as a waitress at Toronto's Second City theater before auditioning for the renowned improv troupe that would launch her career.

Her breakthrough came with SCTV (Second City Television), where she worked alongside Eugene Levy and the late John Candy. The sketch comedy show became one of Canada's most successful TV exports, establishing O'Hara as a comedic force.

But it was her transition to Hollywood that cemented her legacy. 1988'sBeetlejuice showcased her range as Delia Deetz, the possessed dinner party host leading guests in an unforgettable "Day-O" performance. Two years later, Home Alone made her a household name worldwide.

That panicked maternal scream when realizing eight-year-old Kevin had been left behind during Christmas vacation became one of cinema's most recognizable moments. The film's success turned O'Hara into the definitive movie mom for an entire generation.

The Late-Career Renaissance

While many actors fade after their initial success, O'Hara experienced an unexpected renaissance in her 60s. Schitt's Creek, the Canadian comedy series that became a pandemic-era phenomenon, introduced her to a new generation of fans.

Her portrayal of Moira Rose—with her wildly fluctuating accent, outlandish wigs, and brilliant one-liners—earned critical acclaim and a 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

"Never assume, Twyla, because when you assume, it makes an ass out of... both of us," became just one of many quotable moments from a character that felt both ridiculous and deeply human.

Accepting her Emmy, O'Hara thanked creators Eugene and Dan Levy for giving her the chance to play "a woman of a certain age—my age—who gets to fully be her ridiculous self."

The Canadian Comedy DNA

O'Hara often credited her Canadian upbringing for shaping her comedic sensibilities. In a 2020Rolling Stone interview, she explained that growing up Canadian lacked the nationalism she observed in the US.

"That's a good thing because it does make you look outside of yourself and be aware of the world and not take yourself seriously," she said. "Canadians have not only a sense of humor about others but also about themselves."

This perspective informed her work across genres, from Christopher Guest's mockumentaries (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show) to her final roles in HBO's The Last of Us and Seth Rogen's The Studio.

Working Until the End

O'Hara remained active until her death, embodying the work ethic that defined her 50-year career. Her recent performance as ousted studio executive Patty Leigh in The Studio earned her a Golden Globe nomination just weeks before her passing.

Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son from Home Alone, shared a touching tribute: "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you... I love you. I'll see you later."

Seth Rogen, who worked with her on The Studio, revealed that Home Alone was "the film that made me want to make movies." He called working with O'Hara "a true honor," describing her as "hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous."