Catherine O’Hara’s passing at 71 has left a silence that feels almost impossible to fill. For decades, she was the heartbeat of offbeat comedy, the genius behind characters that were outrageous, vulnerable, and unforgettable all at once. From the frantic, guilt-ridden Kate McCallister racing through airports to reach her son, to the gloriously unhinged Moira Rose redefining late-career stardom, she gave audiences permission to laugh at the messiness of being human.
In the wake of her sudden death after a brief illness, tributes have poured in from around the world. None cut deeper than Macaulay Culkin’s raw farewell, calling her “Mama” and mourning the time they thought they still had. At home, she leaves behind her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke, who shared her far from the spotlight. What remains is a body of work that shaped modern comedy—and a warmth that made millions feel like they knew her personally.
