Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, known for roles in Home Alone, comedy TV series Schitt’s Creek and the Beetlejuice films, has died at the age of 71.
She died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles “following a brief illness”, according to a statement from her agency CAA.
Her role as eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, starring opposite Eugene and Daniel Levy, earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
In 2024 she reprised her role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, having starred in the first film in 1988.
Speaking about returning to the character, she told the Press Association: “I just wanted to do the movie justice, but do my character justice and be her this many years later.
“We all just kind of eased into it together – or jumped in, I guess (is) more like it.”
O’Hara also starred in the second season of The Last Of Us, alongside Pedro Pascal, who paid tribute to her in an Instagram post, saying: “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.”
Another recent role saw her starring in the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio as Patty Leigh, for which she received both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch and sons Matthew and Luke, the statement said, and her family will hold a private celebration of her life.
