Catherine O’Hara, better known as the acclaimed actor in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek and Beetlejuice, has passed away at the age of 71 because of a short illness confirmed by her manager.
With her creative characters and quick wit, O’Hara began her illustrious comedy career in the 70s as a writer and performer on Canadian sketch show SCTV.
In the 1980s, she shifted to the big screen where she got her first real hit as an actress in the romantic comedy Nothing Personal and later in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours.
In 1988, O’Hara portrayed the kooky character of Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice; a character she would reprise in a 2024 sequel to the film. It was on the set of the original film that she met production designer Bo Welch; the couple married in 1992.
She also became extensively known as Kate McCallister, the anxious mother in the hit comedy Home Alone (1990) and its 1992 follow-up.
Her work with director Christopher Guest began with Waiting for Guffman in 1996 it was followed by ensemble comedies, including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration.
In addition to acting in live-action, O’Hara was also talented in voice acting in Chicken Little, Over the Hedge, Monster House, Frankenweenie and The Wild Robot. On TV she appeared in series such as The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm and 30 Rock before earning such wide recognition as Moira Rose in Schitts Creek, which earned her an Emmy over the six season run of the show.
In the past few years she appeared in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Last of Us and The Studio garnering further award nominations.
Tributes from fans and co-stars continue to highlight her acting and brilliance.
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