Actress Catherine O’Hara: Canadian acting legend

A quick look at Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, who died Friday at the age of 71.

Born: March 4, 1954

Died: Jan. 30, 2026

Hometown: Toronto

Early days: O’Hara began her career at Second City Toronto as a waitress, joined the sketch comedy troupe’s cast in 1974, replacing Gilda Radner, and later was part of the television adaptation, “SCTV.”.

Film debut: O’Hara made her film debut in 1980 in the movie Double Negative, which also starred John Candy and Eugene Levy.

Awards: SCTV earned O’Hara a writing Emmy in 1982. She won her second Emmy in 2020 for the portrayal of matriarch Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek.” She was nominated twice at the most recent Emmys, for a supporting role “The Studio” and as a guest star in “The Last of Us.” She had also won a Golden Globe, two SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards.

Career honours: She was also inducted into Canada’s Walk of fame in 2007, received the Order of Canada in 2018 and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards lifetime achievement award in 2021.

Key Roles: Moira Rose (Schitt’s Creek), Kate McCallister (Home Alone) Patty Leigh (The Studio) Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice).

Frequent collaborators: Christopher Guest (Best in Show, For Your Consideration, Waiting for Guffman), Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek, SCTV, A Mighty Wind) John Candy (Second City, Home Alone)

For the record: “May I please wish you all a sound mind and a sound body. And though these are the strangest of days, may you have as much joy being holed up in a room or two with your family as I had with my dear Roses,” O’Hara in her 2020 Emmy’s acceptance speech, for “Schitt’s Creek.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2026

The Canadian Press