Catherine O Hara star of Home Alone and Schitt s Creek dies at 71
Feb 1, 2026
Actor Catherine O'Hara, known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Beetlejuice" and "Schitt's Creek," has died at 71, according to a statement from her agency, CAA. Mark Strassman has more on her life and legacy.
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But we begin with the loss of actress Catherine O'Hara, the source of so much
joy in a career that spanned decades and often united generations in laughter.
Here's Mark Strassman. Catherine O'Hara once called Home Alone the perfect movie,
and she was perfect in it as Kevin's careless mother.
O'Hara was also comic gold in Beetlejuice.
And as dog owner Cookie Fleck in the mockumentary Best in Show.
Over a five decade career, she also shined on television in Schitt's Creek.
You can't put a price on dignity.
As Moira Rose, the flamboyant riches to rags matriarch.
Keep an eye on these bags.
Apparently in hell there's no bell man.
O'Hara began as an improv comic in Toronto, where she met her onscreen partner,
Eugene Levy. The duo would work together for much of their careers.
And she and Levy briefly dated, as she told CBS This Morning in 2016.
We're young. We're making each other laugh.
I think there's nothing sexier than laughing to me, too.
O'Hara and production designer Bo Welch were married more than 30 years.
They have two sons. Tributes poured in today
from Pedro Pascal, her co-star on The Last of Us.
Genius to be near you.
Legendary comedian Lily Tomlin said of O'Hara.
Bright, beautiful and full of joy.
After Home Alone, Macaulay Culkin and O'Hara remained lifelong friends.
On Instagram today, he posted, Mama, I thought we had time.
I wanted more.
Catherine O'Hara was once asked to choose her most memorable role.
She said, Mother of my children.
Mark Strassman, CBS News, Atlanta.