Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy Award–winning actress widely known for her roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone, and Beetlejuice, has died at the age of 71, according to officially confirmed reports in the United States. Her death occurred in Los Angeles, California.

Authorities in Los Angeles confirmed that emergency medical services responded to a call from O’Hara’s residence earlier this week. She was taken to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Officials said no foul play is suspected.

An official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Representatives for O’Hara and local authorities stated that further medical details have not been released, and the matter is not under criminal investigation.

Born in Toronto, O’Hara built a career spanning more than five decades across television, film, and stage. She rose to international prominence as a cast member of the Canadian sketch comedy program Second City Television before becoming a fixture in major Hollywood productions.

Her performance as Moira Rose in the television series Schitt’s Creek earned her an Emmy Award and global recognition, cementing her status as one of the most respected comedic actors of her generation. The series achieved widespread international distribution and critical acclaim.

O’Hara also appeared in several globally successful films, including Home Alone and its sequel, which remain among the most widely broadcast family films in the United States and internationally.

Tributes from fellow actors, filmmakers, and cultural institutions have been issued across North America and abroad, acknowledging her influence on modern television comedy and film performance.

O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two children. The family has announced that funeral arrangements will be private.

Sources

• Reuters
• The New York Times
• Associated Press
• Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner