By SCM ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER
THE world of cinema is in mourning today following the heartbreaking news that comedy royalty Catherine O’Hara has passed away at the age of 71.
The Canadian-born star, who became the world’s most famous “movie mum” after screaming “KEVIN!” in the festive classic Home Alone, reportedly died peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades and defined a generation of laughter.
O’Hara wasn’t just a face on a Christmas jumper; she was a powerhouse of talent. From her eccentric, wig-wearing turns as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek to her hauntingly iconic voice work in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Catherine had a rare gift for making us giggle and cry in the same breath.
Tributes have begun flooding in from Hollywood heavyweights and devastated fans alike. Co-stars remember her not just for her impeccable comic timing, but for a warmth that radiated off-screen.
Whether she was desperately trying to get home to a young Macaulay Culkin or winning over a new generation of fans with her “Bebe” catchphrases, she remained one of the most beloved figures in show business.
The Background: A Career in Lights
Catherine O’Hara’s journey to superstardom started in the gritty world of improv with Toronto’s Second City Television (SCTV).
It was here she honed the chameleonic skills that would make her a favorite of visionary directors like Tim Burton.
Home Alone (1990): As Kate McCallister, she gave us the ultimate “mum guilt” performance that remains a staple of every British household’s Christmas Day.
Beetlejuice (1988): Who could forget the possessed dinner party scene where she danced to Day-O?
Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020): Her late-career renaissance as the fabulous Moira Rose earned her an Emmy and cemented her status as a fashion and comedy icon.
Best in Show (2000): One of many collaborations with Christopher Guest, proving she was the undisputed queen of the “mockumentary.”
She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons. While the lights have dimmed on her incredible stage, the laughter she gifted the world will echo every time a certain blonde boy is left behind at Christmas.
