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Beloved actress reported dead at 71
It was announced this week that Catherine O'Hara, the versatile actress known to millions for her work in Home Alone and as the unforgettable Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek, has died at the age of 71. Reports say she passed away at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, peers, and critics who admired a career that spanned roughly five decades.
A career built on comedy, character acting, and reinvention
O'Hara's journey from sketch comedy to iconic film and television roles is a study in range. She first rose to prominence with Second City Television (SCTV), a training ground for improvisers that launched many comedians into mainstream success. From there she moved into film with memorable turns in After Hours and then reached a global audience as Kate McCallister in the first two Home Alone films — a performance that balanced broad family comedy with emotional truth.
In later years O'Hara experienced a powerful late-career renaissance. Her portrayal of Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek blended camp, precise comic timing, and surprising vulnerability, helping the show become a cultural touchstone and winning critical acclaim. She also appeared in recent high-profile films such as Argylle and the Tim Burton sequel that playfully resurrected Beetlejuice for a new generation.
Why her work mattered
O'Hara excelled at creating characters who felt lived-in but larger-than-life. In an industry where many performers are typecast, she repeatedly reinvented herself: sketch comedian, film mom, scene-stealing supporting player, and late-in-life TV star. Her trajectory is similar to other performers who found fresh acclaim later in life, a trend that highlights the industry's growing appetite for mature, complex roles.
Fans will remember the little details — Moira's wigs and accents, her knack for a perfectly-timed aside — while filmmakers will cite her as an actor who could elevate any scene. Behind the laughs were a craftsmanlike dedication to character work and an improviser's ear for a moment that finally felt true.
Catherine O'Hara leaves behind a body of work that will continue to be discovered by new audiences. Her loss is felt across comedy and drama alike, but her performances remain: vivid, humane, and often hilarious.
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