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Catherine O’Hara (March 4, 1954 – January 30, 2026) was a celebrated Canadian-American actress, comedian, and writer whose career spanned more than five decades.
She began in comedy with Toronto’s Second City troupe and as a key performer and writer on the influential sketch show SCTV, where she worked with fellow comedians like Eugene Levy.
O’Hara gained early film recognition in the 1980s and 1990s with roles in features like Beetlejuice and as Kate McCallister, the beleaguered mother in the holiday classic Home Alone and its sequel.
She became a beloved figure in Christopher Guest’s ensemble comedies such as Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman.
Her career enjoyed a major resurgence with the Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020), where her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose earned her widespread acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe.
O’Hara also continued working in television and film into her later years, earning Emmy nominations for roles in The Last of Us and The Studio.
O’Hara was widely admired for her versatile comic talent and memorable character work, leaving a lasting legacy in both film and television.
Cause of death remains unknown.
