Catherine O’Hara’s Family Plans Intimate Gathering to Honor Her Memory

US-Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara (R) and husband US production designer Bo Welch attend the Apple TV+ series premiere of “The Studio” at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, March 24, 2025.
Credit :

MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The late Catherine O’Hara’s family will be honoring her legacy with “a private celebration of life.”
• The actress died in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 30, at 71 after experiencing “a brief illness.”
• She was renowned for her beloved roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek, and various other films and television shows.

As the world mourns the loss of Catherine O’Hara, details are emerging about how her family plans to commemorate her life.

O’Hara, best known for her role in Home Alone, passed away at the age of 71 on January 30, following a “brief illness,” according to her representative. The Emmy-winning actress is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two adult sons, Luke and Matthew.

An obituary released by her representative announced that “a private celebration of life will be held by the family.”

Catherine O’Hara in 2024.

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Earlier reports indicated that first responders were called to O’Hara’s home around 4:48 a.m. on January 30. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that an “approximately 70-year-old” female, presumed to be O’Hara, was transported to the hospital “in serious condition.” Audio dispatch from the LAFD noted that the person was experiencing “breathing difficulty.”

O’Hara was celebrated for her performances in iconic films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone, as well as in mockumentaries directed by Christopher Guest, like Best in Show. On television, she gained fame for her role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, opposite Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy.

In 2020, O’Hara received an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on Schitt’s Creek and earned a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for the same role.

Catherine O’Hara in 2025.

Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

O’Hara’s final on-screen appearance was in Colin Hanks’ documentary John Candy: I Like Me, premiering in October 2025 on Prime Video. She reflected on her enduring friendship with Candy, who passed away in 1994, coincidentally on the same day O’Hara turned 40.

Earlier in 2025, she appeared in the season finale of The Studio, portraying Patty Leigh, the recently-fired head of a movie studio. Her performance in this role earned her a nomination for the 2025 Emmys and a Golden Globe nomination in 2026.

On May 18, shortly before the finale of The Studio, O’Hara also featured in episode six of the second season of The Last of Us, marking the conclusion of her three-episode guest arc. Her portrayal of Gail, a therapist, garnered her an Emmy nomination as well. Throughout her career, O’Hara was known for her memorable guest appearances on shows such as Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and 30 Rock.