Remembering Catherine O’Hara

Written by: Keya Gambhir

This week, the world said goodbye to Catherine O’Hara, the Canadian actress loved for her roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, and many other movies and TV shows. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles at age 71 after a brief illness. Fans, friends, and co-stars are remembering her for her incredible talent, kindness, and sense of humor.

Catherine was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She started acting in the 1970s at The Second City, a famous comedy theater, and later starred on the sketch comedy TV show Second City Television, which she created with her friend Eugene Levy. She earned her first Emmy award and four nominations for her work there.

Her Hollywood career spanned five decades. She appeared in movies like After Hours, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, and the first two Home Alone films, where she played Kevin McCallister’s mom. Catherine stayed close to her co-star Macaulay Culkin and even honored him at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023. She also lent her voice to animated films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Chicken Little, and appeared in newer films like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Apple’s action movie Argylle.

In her 60s, Catherine experienced a career comeback with the CBC sitcom Schitt’s Creek, playing the dramatic and hilarious Moira Rose. She starred alongside Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. Her performance won her a second Emmy and introduced her to a new generation of fans. After that, she appeared in HBO’s The Last of Us and Apple TV’s The Studio, where she played a veteran Hollywood executive navigating a changing industry. In interviews, Catherine reflected on how Hollywood had evolved with the internet and streaming, but said most people just want to do good work and entertain others.

Catherine was also known for her unique health story. She revealed years ago that she had a rare condition called situs inversus, where the organs in her body were reversed. Her type, called dextrocardia, meant her heart was on the right side of her chest instead of the left, and other organs were mirrored. She discovered this during a doctor’s visit with an electrocardiogram and X-ray. Her husband, Bo Welch, joked, “No, her head’s on backwards!” Catherine laughed and said she preferred not to know too much about it. Most people with situs inversus live normal, healthy lives.

Even with her rare condition, Catherine lived an extraordinary life filled with laughter, creativity, and generosity. She was known for bringing joy to people of all ages, from children watching Home Alone to adults enjoying Schitt’s Creek and her many other projects.

Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, sons Matthew and Luke, and her siblings Michael, Mary Margaret, Maureen, Marcus, Tom, and Patricia. She will be remembered not only for her incredible performances but also for her warmth, humor, and the decades of entertainment she shared with the world. Her work will continue to make people laugh and inspire actors for generations to come.