The Studio, Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star Catherine O’Hara passes away at 71

Catherine O’Hara, the star known for her comedic timing and wit across roles in The Studio, Schitt’s Creek, and Home Alone, has passed away at the age of 71. Details on her death have not been revealed yet, but she was suffering from a condition of situs inversus.

The actress first rose to prominence as part of the influential Canadian sketch series Second City Television, where she earned her first Emmy Award. From there, she built a film career defined by memorable characters. Known for her ability to blend comedic timing and emotional presence, the actress' death is a devastating loss for all of Hollywood.

One of Catherine O’Hara's earliest and most iconic roles was opposite Macaulay Culkin on Home Alone. She then starred in an array of successful films, including After Hours, Heartburn, Beetlejuice, Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little, Over the Hedge, Monster House, Where the Wild Things Are, Frankenweenie and Elemental.

More details about Catherine O’Hara's life

Catherine O’Hara was born in Toronto in 1954 and grew up as the second youngest of seven children in a close working-class household. After high school, she took a job waitressing at Toronto’s Second City Theatre, a decision that quietly changed the course of her life.

While observing rehearsals from the edges of the stage, the actress learned a great deal about acting by watching the performers. Although early auditions proved unsuccessful, she remained consistent and persistent, and ended up joining the Second City troupe in 1974.

It was here that she met Eugene Levy, who she worked with on some of her most memorable projects later in life. When the troupe finally launched its television offshoot, Second City Television, O’Hara earned Emmy recognition for both writing and acting, becoming one of the most standout performers in the troupe.

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In her later years, her most iconic role was as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt's Creek, where she starred opposite Levy and earned an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role. She then went on to work on The Studio, The Last of Us, Six Feet Under and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, who she met while he worked as a production designer on the set of Beetlejuice. The couple share two sons, Matthew and Luke. Her death is a major tragedy for Hollywood, considering her larger than life influence on the industry and entertainment as a whole. She leaves behind a lasting legacy, and iconic roles that she will forever remain immortal with.

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