Macaulay Culkin shares emotional tribute after Home Alone star Catherine O’Hara dies aged 71

Catherine O’Hara’s path to becoming a cultural icon was a gradual one, built on a subtle but vital skill. Early in her career, within ensemble casts and improvisational settings, she cultivated the arts of listening, fully disappearing into roles, and making meticulous craft appear entirely natural.

Her time on *Second City Television* established an approach focused on depth rather than showiness. O’Hara’s characters were humorous because they were completely and authentically realized—specific, brave, and emotionally truthful. This made her an essential ensemble player, whether channeling the chaotic spirit of *Beetlejuice* or adding sincere heart to the satire of *Best in Show*.

In *Home Alone*, as Kate McCallister, she achieved a quiet challenge. She provided a genuine emotional anchor of guilt, desperation, and love within a broad family comedy, giving the film a resonant center.

Much later, O’Hara captivated a new generation as Moira Rose in *Schitt’s Creek*. She transformed a potential caricature into a nuanced, surprisingly tender creation. Moira’s flamboyance hid vulnerability, and her aloofness concealed deep loyalty, in a performance both absurd and exacting.

Her reputation across decades and genres is remarkably consistent. Co-workers praise her as generous, rigorous, and collaborative. Audiences connect with her characters, which feel exaggerated yet deeply human—their peculiarities inviting empathy.

O’Hara’s enduring legacy is one of consistent craftsmanship, not constant reinvention. She demonstrates that comedy can encompass ache without sacrificing joy, and that seemingly effortless performances are often the product of sustained, careful work.

She has created characters that endure—outlandish on the outside, yet quietly recognizable within.