Comedy legend Catherine O'Hara, a mainstay of both the big and small screens, passed away at the age of 71 after a short illness. Her death has inspired an immense outpouring of appreciation and sorrow from Hollywood and fans alike, recognizing her decades of memorable performances and her profound impact on comedy and entertainment. Born on March 4, 1954, Catherine Anne O'Hara began her illustrious career with the renowned Second City comedy troupe in her hometown of Toronto, Ontario.

Alongside fellow members such as Eugene Levy, John Candy, and Harold Ramis, O'Hara became part of the initial cast of the groundbreaking sketch comedy TV series SCTV. This show launched her into stardom, where she portrayed a variety of iconic characters, including the washed-up singer Lola Heatheron and the raunchy comedienne Dusty Towne, earning an Emmy for her exceptional writing on the series.

Despite being offered a role on Saturday Night Live in 1981, she chose to remain with SCTV, citing a reluctance to move to New York City. She maintained both Canadian and American citizenship throughout her life. After her time with SCTV, she secured supporting roles in films like Martin Scorsese's After Hours and Nora Ephron's Heartburn.

O'Hara achieved her major big-screen breakthrough in 1988 with Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, where she captivated audiences as the self-obsessed, would-be artist Delia Deetz. Decades later, she reprised this iconic role to widespread acclaim in 2024's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Her career then reached new heights with her starring role as the harried mother Kate McCallister in 1990's Home Alone, which became the biggest hit of her career. She shared the screen with her SCTV co-star John Candy in this Christmas classic, solidifying her status as a beloved comedic presence. Subsequently, O'Hara became a fixture in Christopher Guest's acclaimed mockumentary troupe, delivering unforgettable performances in films such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.

Her versatile talent extended to voice acting, enchanting audiences in numerous animated features. She famously voiced Sally, the rag-doll love interest, in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, a role that contributed significantly to the film's enduring pop culture relevance. Other notable voice roles include Where the Wild Things Are, Elemental, The Wild Robot, and Bartok the Magnificent.

O'Hara experienced a significant resurgence in popularity starting in 2015, starring as the theatrical matriarch Moira Rose in the Canadian sitcom Schitt's Creek. The series, co-created by Eugene and Daniel Levy, became an international phenomenon, earning O'Hara both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her performance.

She initially only agreed to appear in the pilot, but later expressed gratitude to the Levys for creating an authentic older female character. In her later career, she continued to receive critical acclaim, starring as former executive Patty Leigh on Apple TV+'s The Studio and as therapist Gail Lynden on HBO's The Last of Us last year, garnering Emmy nominations for both roles. Her portrayal of Gail Lynden injected levity into the otherwise dour series, as noted by her co-star Pedro Pascal.

By her own admission, O'Hara was always hard to define as an actress, stating in an interview with Vulture, "There are actresses who want to stick to one certain way, and there are actors like me who want to do a bunch of different characters. Don't fence me in! Don't lock me down! I want to do different things! I don't know who I am!" This philosophy underscored her remarkable range and fearless embrace of diverse roles. She married production designer Bo Welch in 1992, whom she met on the set of *Beetlejuice*, and they had two sons.

The news of her passing elicited an immediate and heartfelt response from her colleagues and friends across the entertainment industry. Pedro Pascal, her Last of Us co-star, shared a poignant photo and expressed eternal gratitude for knowing her. Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son from Home Alone, honored her with a somber poem and a touching side-by-side photo from the film and a later reunion. Justin Theroux, from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared a simple photo mourning her loss.

Director Ron Howard, who worked with her on The Paper and The Studio, described her as a beloved actress. Ike Barinholtz, another The Studio co-star, expressed wonder and gratitude for the chance to work with her. Michael McKean (A Mighty Wind) highlighted her singularity in the industry, while actress Rita Wilson praised her authentic on-screen presence. Paul Walter Hauser affectionately called her "my Meryl Streep," acknowledging her influential career.

Hank Azaria reflected on their time working together for Bartok the Magnificent. Home Alone director Chris Columbus praised her SCTV work and stated she often doesn't get enough credit for making Home Alone what it is, calling her "one of the finest humans I've ever known." Michael Keaton, her co-star from Beetlejuice, fondly remembered their many years working together and the close bond they formed.

Catherine O'Hara is survived by her devoted husband, Bo Welch, and her two sons. Her legacy as a versatile powerhouse, who brought immense laughter and warmth to audiences, will continue to inspire and entertain for generations to come.