Catherine O'Hara dies at 71: 'Home Alone' and 'Schitt's Creek' star remembered

Catherine O'Hara, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek," died in Los Angeles on January 30 at the age of 71. Her passing followed a "brief illness," according to her agency. O'Hara was transported to a hospital in "serious condition" on the morning of her death.

Officials received a call at 4:48 a.m. on January 30 for an "approximately 70-year-old" unnamed woman at O'Hara's Los Angeles residence. She was taken to the hospital where she died later that day. The Creative Artists Agency confirmed her death in a statement to E! News, noting it was "following a brief illness." Details about the specific condition or the official cause of death were not disclosed.

Prior to her passing, O'Hara had spoken about her diagnosis with cardiac inversus, also known as dextrocardia with situs inversus. This rare congenital condition causes a person's heart and other internal organs to be on the opposite side of the body. O'Hara stated that living with this condition partly inspired her career in comedy.
She told Variety in March that there is "no better survival instinct" and that as a comedian, her job is to "look for the light." O'Hara also shared that her parents were "both really funny, and a sense of humor was always appreciated. Laughing and being funny was highly encouraged at our table."

Following her death, many of her co-stars and friends shared tributes highlighting her talent and impact. Dan Levy, who starred opposite her on "Schitt's Creek," shared on Instagram on January 30:

"What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years. Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her. My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke and every member of her big, beautiful family."

Michael Keaton, who worked with O'Hara on "Beetlejuice," stated: "We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She’s been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her. Thinking about Beau as well."

Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in "Home Alone," posted: "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later."

Seth Rogen, reflecting on her influence, said: "Really don’t know what to say… I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen. Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honour. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it."

Tim Burton shared: "Catherine, I love you... You were a special part of my life and after life."

Michael Bublé expressed his grief: "Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it. Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words. She wasn’t just a legendary artist, actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest sense: brilliant, fearless, deeply original, and so full of humanity. She made the world laugh, but she also made people feel seen. As an artist, she inspired me more than she’ll ever know. She set the bar for what it means to represent your country with excellence and grace and all without ever losing warmth or humility. My heart is broken for her family, her loved ones, and everyone who adored her, both here in Canada and around the world. If you’re grieving this loss, you’re not alone. We’re all holding a piece of this sadness together. Rest easy, Catherine. Thank you for everything."

Melanie Lynskey spoke about her admiration: "So grateful I got to tell her what she meant to me- how she inspired me, shaped my sense of humour and understanding of the work we do, that she was the pinnacle of greatness to me. I’m sure every actor she met told her similar things. She did not behave as though she’d heard it a million times, she listened and accepted it with grace and wit and tremendous kindness. Thank you to for inviting me to do the Film Independent LACMA reading where I got to work with my hero and witness her genius first hand. It was incredible to watch her work and be in her presence. I’ll never forget a minute of it. That day, and again on an overlapping shoot day on Away We Go, I saw her be nothing short of wonderful to every single person she encountered, from the director to the PAs. When people say someone 'lit up a room,' this is what they mean. She was radiant; it was kind of otherworldly. Her talent was singular. There’s been nobody like her before and there won’t be again. What a genius. What a beautiful person."

Lea Thompson described O'Hara as: "[Catherine] was the most glorious person. Kind, honest, smart, funny, and beautiful beyond words. She carried the spirit. You could feel her love of humanity in her brilliant work. And she had integrity, clarity and wisdom that made her a unique treasure. I know the greats are with her now trying to pick her wonderful brain as to how she could do it all. Here on earth or hearts are a bit broken. We needed you now more than ever. Rest in peace dear friend."

Rita Wilson shared: "Catherine O’Hara - a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did. You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family. Bo, Luke and Matthew, our deepest sympathies. May Catherine rest in peace. May her memory be eternal."

Andy Cohen called her: "Catherine O’Hara. The absolute greatest. Only 71. An angel. The funniest. This is shocking."

Pedro Pascal wrote: "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. The one and ONLY #CatherineOHara."

Ike Barinholtz expressed his gratitude: "I never in a million years thought I would get to work with Catherine O’Hara let alone become friends with her. So profoundly sad she’s somewhere else now So incredibly grateful I got to spend the time I did with her. Thank you Catherine I love you."

Justin Theroux simply stated: "Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed."

Elizabeth Banks remembered her as: "She was an all-timer. Her memory and work is a blessing. Rest peacefully."

Josh Gad shared his disbelief: "I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I can’t bring myself to believe she is gone. Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime. Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs. RIP. My love and deepest condolences go out to her entire family."

Ellen DeGeneres commented: "Catherine O’Hara was a brilliant comedian. Sending love to all who adored her, which might just be everyone."

Ron Howard called the news: "This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family."

Olivia Munn found the news: "Absolutely heartbreaking. She was the kindest person in our business."

Francesca Scorsese shared her devastation: "I have no words," Francesca shared, posting a photo of her dad's reaction on FaceTime. "F--king devastated. Literally in shock."

Sandra Bernhard described O'Hara as: "W hat a terrible loss she was a class act nuanced humble a total natural she brought buckets of joy to this old planet she will be deeply missed she was an inspiration to anyone who fancies themselves humorous a masterclass every time she stepped in front of a camera."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated: "From SCTV to Home Alone to her unforgettable role as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, Catherine O’Hara was a beloved Canadian icon with a rare gift for comedy and heart. She made people laugh across generations and helped bring Canadian storytelling to the world in a way only she could. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone who found joy in her work."

Jamie Lee Curtis simply posted: "BEST OF THE BEST IN SHOW!"

Candace Cameron Bure called her a: "Legend."

Amy Schumer commented: "Ugggg legend. No one funnier."

Sharon Stone offered: "Nooo my most profound condolences."

Cheri Oteri remembered her as: "What an inspiration. She carried a light with her comedy that you took in whenever you saw her. May perpetual light shine upon her beautiful soul."