The Hollywood industry has been in shock and mourning as acclaimed actor Catherine O’Hara passed away at the age of 71 on Friday. According to her manager who confirmed the news, the actor passed away at her home in Los Angeles after suffering from a brief illness. Details regarding what caused her death are currently unknown.
With a five-decade-long career in the industry, O’Hara has acted in some of the most popular TV shows and films starting with the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television for which she earned her first Emmy Awards and garnered four other nominations in top awards. She was also seen in the lead in the first two Home Alone movies (1990 and 1992), starring Macaulay Culkin. O’Hara, who played Kevin’s (Culkin) mother, has ever since shared a close relationship with Culkin.
Born in Toronto, the actor was a waitress at the Toronto Second City theatre franchise in the 1970s before she auditioned for a role.
She collaborated with Christopher Guest multiple times in his mockumentary films such as Best in Show, For Your Consideration, Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind. O’Hara’s roles extended beyond on-screen performances. She also voiced key characters in animated films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Chicken Little.
