Catherine O’Hara and Macaulay Culkin had an emotional final reunion two years before her death at age 71.
The actress passed away at her Los Angeles home on Friday ‘following a brief illness,’ according to a statement from her agency, CAA. A cause of death has not yet been released.
O’Hara had portrayed Culkin’s onscreen mom in the first two Home Alone films, and the pair had the chance to reunite as she introduced the actor at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023.
At the time, the Hollywood icon had made a heartfelt speech and was also seen touching Culkin’s face in a sweet gesture.
He could be seen standing next to the actress before they shared a tearful embrace and paused for photos together.
O’Hara also proudly looked on during the special unveiling of his star in Hollywood.
Catherine O’Hara and Macaulay Culkin had an emotional final reunion two years before her death at age 71; seen in 2023 in Los Angeles
O’Hara had portrayed Culkin’s onscreen mom in the first two Home Alone films, and the pair had the chance to reunite as she introduced the actor at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023 (seen above)
‘Home Alone was, is and always will be a beloved global sensation… the reason families all over the world can’t let a year go by without watching and loving Home Alone together is because of Macaulay Culkin,’ she had gushed in her speech.
The late star had labeled his performance in the 1990 movie as ‘perfect’ while addressing those in attendance.
‘I know you worked really hard, I know you did, but you made acting look like the most natural thing in the world to do.’
She also applauded his professionalism and passion for acting, sharing he would always bring his ‘sweet and twisted, yet totally relatable sense of humor to every project he does.
‘Macaulay, congratulations. You so deserve your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ the actress added.
‘And thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I’m so proud of you.’
Ana Martinez – producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame – had also expressed the excitement over O’Hara and Culkin’s reunion in a press release shortly before the event.
‘How fitting that Catherine O’Hara who played Macaulay’s mother in the film is reuniting with her movie son and will be speaking at the ceremony!’ she said.
At the time, the Hollywood icon had made a heartfelt speech and was also seen touching Culkin’s face in a sweet gesture; O’Hara and Culkin seen above in the 1990 film Home Alone
The actress passed away on Friday ‘following a brief illness,’ according to a statement from her agency, CAA. A cause of death has not yet been released; seen in September 2025 in Toronto
‘And thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I’m so proud of you,’ she had said
He could be seen standing next to the actress before they shared a tearful embrace and paused for photos together
During an appearance on Sunday Today, the Beetlejuice actress recalled having the chance to be at the ceremony – and how Culkin asked if she would present the honor herself.
‘Out of the blue, he asked me. And my first reaction was, “Aww.” I told my husband, “Aww.” It just was the sweetest idea.’
O’Hara admitted that she ‘didn’t know what it was going to be like, and it was just lovely and I’m so happy I got to be there and see him receive that.
‘He seemed so happy. He’s got a lovely fiancée, two sweet kids,’ she further recalled of the big day.
The star humorously remembered being mistaken for Culkin’s mother – who was not able to attend the event.
After posing for a round of pictures, she expressed that she had started to walk away when someone called out for her to stay so the actor could take more photos with just the mother.
‘And I walk away and he said, “Just with the mother. Yeah. No, with the mother.” I’m not – you know I’m not his real mother.’
Culkin then ‘puts his arm around [me], he goes, “Oh no, my mom wasn’t able to make it.” Well then, I’m honored to be here. Thank you.’
‘Out of the blue, he asked me. And my first reaction was, “Aww.” I told my husband, “Aww.” It just was the sweetest idea,’ she recalled
The actor broke his silence on O’Hara’s passing on Friday by sharing a throwback photo of them in Home Alone as well as their 2023 reunion
The actor broke his silence on O’Hara’s passing on Friday by sharing a throwback photo of them in Home Alone as well as their 2023 reunion.
‘Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more,’ he wrote in the caption.
‘I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.’
O’Hara passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Friday, her agency CAA said in a statement.
A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘At 4:48 am we responded to a request for medical aid to that address and transported an approximately 70-year-old female in serious condition.’
Daily Mail has requested comment from reps for O’Hara.
She leaves behind her husband of 30-plus years Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.
O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the Emmys in September, where she appeared frail on the red carpet.
O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress on Television for The Studio.
A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘At 4:48 am we responded to a request for medical aid to that address and transported an approximately 70-year-old female in serious condition’; O’Hara seen in 1981
She leaves behind her husband of 30-plus years Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29; O’Hara and Welch seen in March 2025 in Beverly Hills
The ceremony saw her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin take to the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, and reflect on his role in the holiday classic.
Just a week before her appearance at the 2025 Emmys in September, O’Hara reunited with another longtime collaborator, Eugene Levy, as she was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
She was clearly emotional as Levy handed her the golden award, leading to a heartfelt acceptance speech.
‘Eugene, that’s too much. Thank you, darling,’ she said after his introduction.
The star continued, ‘Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you.’
Their on-screen partnership stretches back to the 1970s, when they first shared the screen on Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television.
During her successful entertainment career, she also charmed audiences as the eccentric Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek.
Her comedic talent also shone in Christopher Guest’s hit mockumentaries, including Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003).
O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the Emmys in September, where she appeared frail on the red carpet (seen above)
Fans also remember her unforgettable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.
A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast, helping launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis.
Over the past decade, she enjoyed a career resurgence with Schitt’s Creek, earning an Emmy for her role as the eccentric Moira Rose alongside longtime collaborator Eugene Levy.
In 2020, she nabbed the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role.
A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast, helping launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis; the late actress seen with Levy (left) and husband Welch (middle) in 1989
O’Hara’s Emmy shelf was already impressive: she won in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network, and over the years racked up eight additional nominations for acting and writing; seen in 1989 in Westwood
Her talent didn’t stop there – she also earned an Emmy nomination last year for The Studio, highlighting her versatility as both a comedic and dramatic performer.
O’Hara’s Emmy shelf was already impressive: she won in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network, and over the years racked up eight additional nominations for acting and writing.
In 2017, she was named to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s top honors.
In 2025, she was double-nominated, taking home recognition for her guest turn on HBO’s The Last of Us while also being honored for her comedic performance in The Studio
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