Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed Canadian actress and comedy legend celebrated for her unforgettable performances in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71. Her manager confirmed the news to PEOPLE on Friday, January 30. No cause of death or additional details were disclosed.
TMZ was the first outlet to report the passing of the beloved performer, whose career spanned more than five decades across television, film, and theater.
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara was the second youngest of seven children in a close-knit family. Her father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, while her mother was a real estate agent. Her first brush with acting came early, when she portrayed the Virgin Mary in a Nativity play — a humble beginning for a woman who would go on to become one of comedy’s most respected figures.
After graduating from high school, O’Hara found work as a waitress at Toronto’s legendary Second City Theater, an environment that would shape her future. In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, she recalled being surrounded by emerging comedy greats such as Dan Aykroyd, Joe Flaherty, and family friend Gilda Radner.
Her initial attempt to join Second City’s performance troupe was discouraging. Joe Flaherty famously told her to “keep up the good work” — referring to her waitressing job. Undeterred, O’Hara auditioned again and earned her place in the company in 1974.
One of her fellow performers was Eugene Levy, who would become a lifelong friend and creative partner. Despite her later confidence on screen, O’Hara admitted she was initially terrified of performing live. Speaking to The New Yorker in 2019, she described using exaggerated eccentricity as a coping mechanism during improvisation, allowing her to embrace unpredictability without fear.
In 1976, Second City launched its television offshoot, Second City Television (SCTV). O’Hara quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable stars, known for her razor-sharp celebrity impressions — including Meryl Streep and Brooke Shields — as well as original characters that became cult favorites. The show aired on NBC throughout the 1980s and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Despite its success, SCTV offered little financial stability. O’Hara recalled frequent breaks in production due to shifting network deals. During one hiatus in 1981, she accepted an offer to join Saturday Night Live, only to return to SCTV when it was revived before she appeared in a single SNL episode. Her slot ultimately went to her high school friend Robin Duke. Looking back, O’Hara said everything unfolded as it was meant to.
Her work on SCTV earned her five Emmy nominations, including one win as part of the writing staff. When the series ended in 1984, O’Hara felt it was time. She later explained that she wanted to grow as an actress, reclaim her personal life, and once again feel creatively challenged.
Throughout the 1980s, O’Hara transitioned steadily into film. Her debut came in 1980’s Double Negative, followed by notable roles in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours (1985) and Heartburn (1986). In 1988, she delivered one of her most iconic performances as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice. She reprised the role more than three decades later in the 2024 sequel Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.
Though best known for comedy, O’Hara consistently defied expectations, choosing roles based on instinct rather than opportunity. She often dismissed rumors that she avoided work, saying she preferred turning down projects she didn’t believe in.
Catherine O’Hara leaves behind an extraordinary legacy defined by originality, fearlessness, and heart. Her influence on modern comedy — and the generations of performers she inspired — remains immeasurable.
