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Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed actress and comedian whose career spanned five decades and touched audiences around the world, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness, her representatives confirmed on January 30, 2026. Known for iconic roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Best in Show, O’Hara was also widely recognized as a supportive and vocal ally to the LGBTQ+ community throughout her life and career.

Fans and colleagues alike have mourned her passing, describing her as a “genius” of comedy and a deeply warm presence both on and off screen. Actor Pedro Pascal, who worked with her on The Last of Us, wrote in tribute, “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always.” He added, “The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara.”

Musician Michael Bublé remembered her as “a rare light in this world… an ambassador for Canada in the truest sense.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles LGBT Center released a statement about her passing, which reads:

We are deeply saddened by the passing of the incomparable Catherine O’Hara, whose brilliance and fearless humor created space for queer joy long before allyship was widely named.

Through unforgettable roles, from Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek, to Home Alone, she modeled chosen family, tenderness, and self-expression, offering generations of LGBTQ+ people permission to be fully ourselves.

Her legacy reminds us that allyship, when rooted in love, can change culture. We extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones and all who are mourning her loss.

Further, her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin shared an emotional Instagram tribute, writing, “Mama. I thought we had time… I love you. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara’s career began in the 1970s with Toronto’s legendary comedy troupe The Second City and its television offshoot SCTV, where she quickly established herself as a versatile performer. She later appeared in numerous film and TV roles that showcased her range—from heartfelt humor to sharp satire—earning Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild honors along the way.

Her portrayal of Moira Rose on the critically acclaimed series Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020) solidified her status as an LGBTQ+ favorite. The show’s celebration of queerness and acceptance—most notably the marriage of David and Patrick—garnered a passionate gay fanbase, and O’Hara’s performance was key to its emotional core. Many LGBTQ+ fans affectionately referred to her as “Mama Bear” and “Mama of Queer TV,” a nod to her roles as a quintessential TV and movie mom and a fierce LGBTQ+ ally. 

Throughout her career, O’Hara was a champion of LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion. She consistently used her platform to uplift queer creators and affirm LGBTQ+ stories, with Schitt’s Creek in particular standing as a cultural turning point.

In addition to representation through her roles, O’Hara also supported charitable causes that benefited other marginalized groups. She was a longtime supporter of the Terry Fox Foundation, a Canadian charity dedicated to cancer research in honor of Terry Fox, a young athlete who attempted to run across Canada in 1980 after losing a leg to osteogenic sarcoma.

Her philanthropic legacy also included donating her winnings from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire to a nonprofit organization, Upward Bound House, which provides housing assistance to families facing homelessness. Read more here.

Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. For more information, read here.

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