Home Alone Macaulay Culkin says ‘I love you mama’ in tribute to late Catherine O’Hara

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress known for her iconic roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, and Beetlejuice, who has died at 71

Beloved Hollywood icon Catherine O’Hara, renowned for her unforgettable roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, and Beetlejuice, has died at the age of 71, her manager confirmed Friday (January 30). O’Hara’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow stars, including a heartfelt message from her “Home Alone” co-star Macaulay Culkin.

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of O’Hara. In a touching tribute, her on-screen son Culkin wrote: “Mama. 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. I’ll see you later.”

O’Hara famously played Culkin’s on-screen mother in the first two “Home Alone” films. Fellow actors and friends also shared their grief and admiration.

Justin Theroux, who appeared with O’Hara in “Beetlejuice,” posted: “Catherine, you will be so missed.” Hilaria Baldwin wrote simply: “Rest in Peace.”

Pedro Pascal, her co-star from “The Last of Us”, shared: “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. Always.”

Actress Rita Wilson remembered O’Hara as “a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did”. She added: “You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family.

“Bo, Luke and Matthew, our deepest sympathies. May Catherine rest in peace.

“May her memory be eternal.” TV host Andy Cohen recalled: “Fell in love at first sight on SCTV and it only got stronger.

“Rest In Peace, Angel Catherine O’Hara.” Tom Greene wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I’m so sorry to hear the news that Canadian comedy legend Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71.

“She’s kept me and millions of others entertained throughout my lifetime — from her brilliant work on SCTV, to Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek, and so many other films and television classics. Her characters brought so much joy and laughter to the world.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I share this today. Rest in peace, Catherine O’Hara — one of the greatest Canadian comedy icons of all time.”

Fans also expressed their sadness, with one saying: “RIP Catherine O’Hara. I know John Candy greeted her with open arms.”

Another wrote: “Catherine O’Hara was an absolute genius for the entirety of her career.” “She will be terribly missed,” added another.

O’Hara’s illustrious career spanned decades and genres, earning her global acclaim and a devoted fanbase. She experienced a late-career renaissance with her iconic portrayal of the eccentric matriarch Moira Rose in the acclaimed series Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020), a role that garnered her both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe.

Her career began in the mid-1970s on the sketch comedy series SCTV, where she earned her first Emmy for writing in 1982. At the time of her passing, O’Hara remained active in the industry, with roles in the upcoming Apple TV+ satire The Studio (2025), a guest appearance in the second series of HBO’s The Last of Us (2025), and as the voice of Pinktail in the animated film The Wild Robot (2024).

In her personal life, she was married to production designer Bo Welch since 1992 and was mother to two sons, Matthew and Luke. O’Hara was also known to have situs inversus, a rare condition in which the major internal organs are mirrored from their typical positions.

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