Hollywood stars and fans alike have come together to share fond memories and moments from across Catherine O’Hara’s career following her passing earlier today.
The Home Alone and Beetlejuice star’s manager confirmed with Variety that she died in her Los Angeles home at 71 following “a brief illness.” It’s news that’s shocked the movie and TV world, prompting responses from co-workers, audience members, friends, and more as they remember a comedy icon and acting legend.
Macaulay Culkin, who famously played the son of O’Hara’s Kate McCallister in two Home Alone movies, was one of the first to share a touching tribute. Culkin was just 10 years old when the first film premiered in 1990.
“Mama,” he wrote. “I thought we had time.
“I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you.”
He signs off, “I’ll see you later.”
O’Hara may be best known for her part in Home Alone, but her career as an actress stretches far beyond those films. In addition to Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel, the star provided her voice talents for The Nightmare Before Christmas as Sally, while also working on films throughout the 2000s, such as Best in Show, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Penelope, Monster House, and The Wool Cap. The mid-2010s saw her lean harder into TV appearances, with shows like Modern Family and her role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek under her belt. Recent television projects featuring O’Hara include The Studio and Season 2 of The Last of Us.
“Oh, genius to be near you,” her The Last of Us co-star, Pedro Pascal, wrote today. “Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always.”
Frozen’s Josh Gad, The Studio’s Ike Barinholtz, Better Call Saul’s Michael McKean, and director Ron Howard are just a few of the other names who have taken to social media to talk about O’Hara and her impact on their lives. You can see just some of these message, as well as posts from fans, below.
“I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I can’t bring myself to believe she is gone,” Gad said. “Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime. Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs. RIP. My love and deepest condolences go out to her entire family.”
I’m so devastated to hear about the sad passing of Catherine O’Hara 💔 There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t reference this iconic wine commercial she done as Moira Rose in Schitts Creek.
Rest in peace to a once in a lifetime icon💔
pic.twitter.com/KyyQHnz8Gt
Catherine O’Hara — Sally’s song
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) pic.twitter.com/xAJc3Lj1e1
Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words.
She wasn’t just a legendary artist,
actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest… pic.twitter.com/06jGk7OyCP
Only one Catherine O'Hara, and now none. Heartbreaking.
This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family. #RIPCatherineO’Hara https://t.co/7pWcpYARai
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
