Home Alone director Chris Columbus and Beetlejuice’s Tim Burton honor Catherine O’Hara after her death at 71

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Following the passing of Catherine O’Hara at age 71, directors Chris Columbus and Tim Burton have shared heartfelt tributes to the beloved actress.

The celebrated actress died on Friday at her Los Angeles home after a short illness, according to her agency, CAA. Details about the cause of death have not yet been made public.

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of the actress. Reports indicate she was experiencing trouble breathing before being rushed to the hospital, and unfortunately, she was later pronounced dead. It’s a truly heartbreaking loss.

John Hughes, the director of the popular films Home Alone and Home Alone 2, shared a heartbroken message on Instagram.

O’Hara had played the role of Macaulay Culkin’s onscreen mother Kate McCallister in the two films.

‘Today we lost Catherine O’Hara. I’m stunned and heartbroken, along with the rest of the world.’

The filmmaker shared that he had always been a huge fan of Catherine’s comedy, especially her work on SCTV, and was delighted when she accepted the role of Kevin’s Mom in ‘Home Alone’.

Columbus then reflected on O’Hara’s memorable performance in the beloved 1990 movie. 

Most people underestimate Catherine’s crucial role in that film. Her amazing performance is really what makes the whole movie work.

He added that Catherine brings a deep emotional resonance to the work and that he will be very sad to see her go.

It’s a little comforting to think of Catherine and John Candy reunited, still brilliantly improvising and making each other laugh, just like they always did. They were two of the most wonderful people I knew.

Candy also appeared in the movie Home Alone and sadly passed away in 1994 at just 43 years old due to a heart attack.

Columbus also posted a picture of himself with O’Hara and Culkin, seemingly taken in March of last year.

As someone who follows creative partnerships closely, it was lovely to see Tim Burton pay tribute to the wonderful Catherine O’Hara. He directed her in both Beetlejuice and the recent sequel, and he also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram remembering her. It really speaks to their connection!

The filmmaker shared a photo from the set of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice with a sweet message: ‘Catherine, I love you.’

This photo reminds me of the joy and positivity you brought into our lives. You were a truly special person, and your impact extends beyond this life.

O’Hara smiled brightly in the photo, posing with Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Tim Burton.

She also contributed to other films by Tim Burton, notably providing the voice for Sally in the 1993 classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and appearing in his 2012 animated film, Frankenweenie.

A number of tributes poured in on Friday following the news of the actress’s heartbreaking passing. 

Macaulay Culkin posted on Instagram, sharing a photo from the movie Home Alone alongside a picture of a recent reunion with his co-stars.

‘Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more,’ he wrote in the caption.

I wished I could have sat beside you and talked more. There was so much I wanted to tell you. I love you, and I’ll see you soon.

The two had an emotional reunion in December 2023 when O’Hara presented the actor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

O’Hara recently joined the cast of Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ show, The Studio, and also posted a heartfelt message.

I’m honestly at a loss for words. From the moment I met O’Hara, I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever seen perform.

Rogen shared that ‘Home Alone’ inspired him to become a filmmaker, and he felt honored to have worked with the actress.

She was incredibly kind, insightful, and generous – a truly special person. Her belief in our show motivated me to make it the best it could be. This loss is heartbreaking, and we were all so fortunate to have known her.

Many stars shared heartfelt tributes to O’Hara’s life and work, including Eugene Levy, Michael Keaton, Francesca Scorsese, Pedro Pascal, Justin Theroux, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Brooke Shields.

Creative Arts Agency (CAA), the agency that represented actress Shirley O’Hara, stated that she passed away at her Los Angeles home after a short illness.

According to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, firefighters responded to a medical emergency at that location at 4:48 am and took a woman, estimated to be around 70 years old, to the hospital in serious condition.

The Daily Mail reported, based on emergency dispatch audio, that the celebrity was experiencing breathing problems before being transported to the hospital.

On Friday around 5 AM, emergency crews responded to a call at O’Hara’s home in Brentwood and transported him to the hospital in serious condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Hours later, the actress was declared dead and her cause of death has yet to be released.

O’Hara’s last public appearance was when she attended the Emmy Awards last year in September. 

She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, whom she married in 1992, and their two sons, Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.

According to an obituary reported by Just Jared, her family will hold a private memorial service to honor her life.

Catherine O’Hara is known for her work in films like Home Alone and Beetlejuice, but she’s also had memorable roles in television shows such as Schitt’s Creek, The Last of Us, and Six Feet Under.

The actor was also a cast member on the Canadian comedy show SCTV, appearing from 1976 to 1979.

Throughout her career, O’Hara received critical acclaim for her acting, earning awards including two Emmys and a Golden Globe.

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2026-01-31 20:19