Catherine O’Hara knew exactly what kind of legacy she wanted to leave behind prior to her untimely death.
The Schitt’s Creek actress, who unexpectedly passed away on Friday (Jan. 30), had a decades-long career in Hollywood but it wasn’t her on screen work that she wanted to be remembered by—it was her family.
While talking with TMZ back in 2024, O’Hara was asked what role she was most proud of and she said it would have to be her role as a mother and wife.
“Mother of my children [and] his wife,” she responded, while gesturing to her husband, Bo Welch.
Prior to her passing, O’Hara and Welch had been married for over three decades and shared two sons, Matthew and Luke.
While O’Hara admitted she couldn’t pick just one role, she portrayed so many iconic characters through the years, from Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek to Kate McCallister in Home Alone and even her recent role as Patty Leigh on The Studio.
As for reaching the status of comedy icon, O’Hara told Variety in 2025, “I don’t think of myself like that, but it’s nice that others do.”
“There’s no better survival instinct,” she said of comedy. “You’re so lucky if you’re raised with it. It’s one of God’s greatest gifts, because life is full of the dark and the light. You gotta look for the light. My parents were both really funny, and a sense of humor was always appreciated. Laughing and being funny was highly encouraged at our table.”
While not much is known about O’Hara’s passing just yet, she was reportedly rushed to a hospital in “serious condition” in the early hours of January 30. Her rep later confirmed that O’Hara passed following a brief illness.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
READ MORE: Catherine O’Hara to Be Remembered in ‘Private’ Ceremony By Close Family After Sudden Death
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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