By Olivia Finlayson

The Canadian- American actress Catherine O’Hara, best known for her roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice and Schitts Creek has passed away due to a “short-term illness” at the age of 71, according to her representatives. It is not known what caused her death as they have kept this private. However, she had a condition called situs inversus, which meant her organs were all on the other side of where they should be.

The beloved actress has no doubt played some very iconic roles during her 5-decade career.

Her career started off in SCTV a sketch comedy show, which ran from 1976 to 1984 where she was recognised for her comedic talent as an early cast member.

She starred in Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” in 1985 where she plays Gail the Ice-cream truck driver.

She also starred in “Heartburn” in 1986 as Betty.

In loving memory of Catherine O’Hara (1954-2026) via Getty Images

She then played Delia in “Beetlejuice” in 1988, in which she brought her role to life as the artsy and not so nice stepmother to Lydia.

After that in 1990 she played one of her arguably most iconic roles, Kate Mcallister in “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”. Mostly due to her most famous line in the movie; “Kevin!” which O’Hara shouts through the airport when she leaves her son Kevin at home.

From 2015 to 2020 she played another one of her famous roles as Moira Rose in the series “Schitts Creek”, where she conquered her character by giving her a unique accent and embodying the character’s self-dramatised personality.

Her personal life was something she kept private with her fashion designer husband Bo Welch, who she married in 1992. She had two children with him. Matthew in 1994 and Luke in 1997. She met her husband on the set of Beetlejuice in 1988 as he was the production designer. Catherine was known for having close-knit family values and a strong belief in the importance of family.

The reaction to her death online was catastrophic. Many celebrities were distraught at the news.

Her ex-co-star Macaulay Culkin from “Home Alone” paid tribute to her on Instagram saying “Mama I thought we had time” I love you, I’ll see you later” he highlights their close relationship on and off the screen.

Meryl Streep said that O’Hara brought “love and light to our world, through whip smart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.”

The life and career of Catherine O’Hara