Emmy Award–winning actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71.
O’Hara passed away at her home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles following a brief illness, her agency confirmed. Additional details were not immediately released.
Born and raised in the Toronto area, O’Hara became a comedy icon as an original cast member of the influential sketch series SCTV, where she worked alongside legends including John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, and Rick Moranis. Her writing and performances on the show earned her an Emmy Award and multiple nominations.
She went on to build an extraordinary film career, starring in beloved classics such as Beetlejuice, Home Alone, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind, becoming known for her sharp wit, fearless character work, and impeccable comedic timing.
In recent years, O’Hara reached a new generation of fans with her role as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek. The performance earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, a Golden Globe, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards, cementing her place as one of television’s most celebrated performers.
She continued working until late in her career, appearing in HBO’s The Last of Us and other high-profile projects.
In recognition of her cultural impact, O’Hara was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017.
She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Tributes from fans and fellow performers have begun pouring in, honoring a woman whose work shaped decades of comedy and left an enduring mark on film and television.