Canada is in mourning following the death of Catherine O'Hara, a legendary actress and comedian, at the age of 71. O'Hara, born in Toronto, had a career spanning over five decades, making her mark on both Canadian and American screens. She passed away on January 30, 2026, after a brief illness at her home in Los Angeles.
O'Hara's career began in the 1970s with the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto, where she honed her improvisational skills alongside future stars like Eugene Levy and John Candy. Her work on the Canadian sketch comedy show "SCTV" earned her an Emmy Award for writing in 1982. She transitioned to film, gaining international recognition for her roles in movies like "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," and Christopher Guest's mockumentaries such as "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind". "It's always more fun working with someone you know,” she said to the Guardian in 2021 about working with Eugene Levy.
In recent years, O'Hara experienced a career resurgence with her role as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom "Schitt's Creek". Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. O'Hara also received the Order of Canada in 2017, a testament to her contributions to Canadian arts and culture. She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
O'Hara's cause of death has not been officially confirmed, though it was reported she suffered a brief illness. She had a rare condition called situs inversus, where her major internal organs were reversed. Catherine O'Hara's unique talent and comedic genius will be deeply missed by Canadians and fans around the world.
