Catherine O’Hara, Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas Actress, Has Died at Age 71. Here’s Her Connection to Disney.

Catherine O’Hara, the acclaimed actress known for her unforgettable performances in Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas, died at age 71, prompting reflections on her extensive ties to Disney projects that spanned voice acting and theme park narrations. Her passing marks the end of a career that blended sharp comedy with heartfelt roles across film, television, and animation.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, as confirmed by her representatives at CAA.

• She built a six-decade career starting in Canadian sketch comedy, earning Emmys, Golden Globes, and recognition as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

• Iconic roles included Kate McCallister in Home Alone and Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, alongside voice work as Sally in Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

• Disney connections ran deep, from voicing characters in films like Chicken Little to narrating attractions at Walt Disney World and appearing in video games.

• Tributes poured in from co-stars like Macaulay Culkin and Seth Rogen, highlighting her warmth, talent, and lasting impact on entertainment.

What Caused Catherine O’Hara’s Death at Age 71?

O’Hara died following a brief illness at her Los Angeles home. Her agency, CAA, released a statement confirming the details without specifying the nature of the illness. Sources close to the family noted she had been rushed to a hospital earlier that day in serious condition, but no further medical information has been shared publicly.

Reports from outlets like TMZ indicated the actress passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. At 71, her death came as a shock to many fans who followed her recent projects, including appearances in The Last of Us and The Studio. The family has requested privacy during this time.

How Did Catherine O’Hara Start Her Career in Comedy?

Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, O’Hara grew up in a large Irish-Catholic family as one of seven siblings. She began her professional journey in the 1970s with the Second City improvisational troupe, where she honed her skills alongside future stars like John Candy and Eugene Levy. This led to her breakout on SCTV, the sketch comedy series that aired from 1976 to 1984, earning her an Emmy for outstanding writing in a variety or music program.

O’Hara’s early work focused on celebrity impressions, including spot-on takes on Lucille Ball and Katharine Hepburn. She transitioned to film in the 1980s with roles in movies like After Hours directed by Martin Scorsese. Her dual Canadian-American citizenship allowed her to work seamlessly in both countries, building a foundation for her versatile career.

What Were Some of Catherine O’Hara’s Most Memorable Roles?

O’Hara delivered a standout performance as Kate McCallister, the frantic mother in 1990’s Home Alone and its 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. These films grossed hundreds of millions at the box office and became holiday staples. She often joked in interviews about how Macaulay Culkin still called her “Mom” years later.

In the 2000s, she collaborated frequently with director Christopher Guest on mockumentaries such as Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003). Her role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek from 2015 to 2020 brought her widespread acclaim, showcasing her flair for eccentric characters with elaborate wigs and vocabulary.

O’Hara also excelled in dramatic turns, earning an Emmy nomination for her supporting role in the 2010 HBO film Temple Grandin. More recently, she appeared in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and HBO’s The Last of Us.

How Was Catherine O’Hara Connected to Disney Through Her Work?

O’Hara’s ties to Disney began prominently with her voice role as Sally in 1993’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion animated film produced under Disney’s Touchstone Pictures banner. She reprised the character in video games like Disney Speedstorm and Disney Dreamlight Valley.

She also voiced Tina “Mom” Toe in Chicken Little (2005) and narrated the Canada: Far and Wide attraction at Epcot starting in 2020. Her collaborations with Tim Burton extended to Disney projects like Frankenweenie (2012), reinforcing her presence in the studio’s creative legacy.

What Awards and Honors Did Catherine O’Hara Receive?

O’Hara won two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her work on Schitt’s Creek. She was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017 and received a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2020.

Who Paid Tribute to Catherine O’Hara After Her Passing?

Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world. Macaulay Culkin called her a “second mom,” while Seth Rogen, Pedro Pascal, and others praised her brilliance, kindness, and humor. Fans echoed the sentiment online, celebrating her ability to connect generations through laughter.

What Was Catherine O’Hara’s Personal Life Like?

O’Hara married production designer Bo Welch in 1992, and they raised two sons, Matthew and Luke. She often spoke about balancing family life with her career, grounding herself in faith and close relationships.

How Did Catherine O’Hara Influence Comedy and Animation?

From SCTV to Disney animation, O’Hara shaped character-driven comedy and elevated voice acting with emotional depth. Her legacy spans holiday classics, cult favorites, and modern prestige television.

Catherine O’Hara’s death closes a chapter on one of entertainment’s most versatile talents, but her work continues to resonate across generations, especially within Disney’s animated canon.

Hat Tips

• NPR, January 30, 2026

• CNN, January 30, 2026

• People, January 30, 2026

• AP News, January 30, 2026

• TMZ, January 30, 2026

• Variety, January 30, 2026

• The New York Times, January 30, 2026

• Wikipedia, accessed January 30, 2026

• IMDb, accessed January 30, 2026