Catherine O'Hara, Home Alone fame, dies at 71; Hollywood stars Macaulay Culkin, Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal pen tributes, see unseen photos

The 90s kids have grown up watching cult Hollywood films, and one all-time favourite that never gets old is the Home Alone franchise. And who can ever forget Catherine O'Hara? Leaving fans and the film fraternity across the globe in shock.

Born on March 4, 1954, Catherine O'Hara grew up in Toronto and developed her passion for comedy at an early age. At just 20, she joined the city's famed Second City theatre troupe, beginning her journey as an understudy to Gilda Radner before earning her place in the main cast when Radner left to join the original Saturday Night Live ensemble.

A proud Toronto native, O'Hara went on to become a key member of the iconic SCTV ensemble, a platform that also launched the careers of comedy legends like John Candy, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, and several others. While she showcased remarkable versatility across genres, she became a household name worldwide as Kate McCallister,  Kevin's frantic yet loving mother, in the beloved Home Alone films.

Her career saw a powerful resurgence over the past decade with the global success of Schitt's Creek, where she portrayed the unforgettable Moira Rose. Over a career spanning five decades, O'Hara earned widespread acclaim and numerous honours. She won an Emmy in 2020 for Schitt's Creek and had earlier secured an Emmy in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network. Last year, she also received an Emmy nomination for The Studio.

In total, O'Hara received eight additional Emmy nominations across acting and writing categories. In 2025 alone, she earned double nominations,  one for Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series for HBO's The Last of Us, and another for her comedic performance in The Studio.

Hollywood mourns Catherine O'Hara

As soon as the news of Catherine O'Hara's passing away broke, fans and celebs took to social media and penned heartfelt tributes to the star 

Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in the Home Alone films, shared an emotional message on Instagram. "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," he wrote.

Pedro Pascal, who worked alongside O'Hara in The Last of Us Season 2, shared a photo with her and wrote, "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."

Meryl Streep, who co-starred with O'Hara in Heartburn, said in a statement, "Catherine O'Hara brought love and light to our world through whipsmart compassion for the eccentrics she portrayed. Such a loss for her family, friends, and the audience she welcomed as her own."

Michael Keaton, her Beetlejuice co-star, also shared a heartfelt note, saying, "We go back before the first Beetlejuice. She's been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis, and my real-life, true friend. This one hurts. Man, am I going to miss her."

Let's revisit her unseen photos and videos, memories etched deep in our hearts and minds.