Macaulay Culkin Pays Emotional Tribute to ‘Home Alone’ Mom Catherine O’Hara
Macaulay Culkin led an outpouring of grief online after the death of his Home Alone co-star and on-screen mother, Catherine O’Hara. The actress, 71, passed away Friday at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness, her agency CAA confirmed. O’Hara was celebrated worldwide for her work in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice, and many other projects over her five-decade career.
Culkin shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing his deep sadness over losing the woman who played his mother in the beloved films. Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. 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, he wrote. His words quickly drew thousands of responses from fans, many sharing their own memories of O’Hara’s work.
Other actors and colleagues also shared their grief, highlighting the impact she had on their lives. Dan Levy, who starred alongside O’Hara in Schitt’s Creek, called her brilliance a gift. What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years, he wrote.
Pedro Pascal, who worked with O’Hara on HBO’s The Last of Us, posted a behind-the-scenes photo of the two, adding, Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always.
Seth Rogen, who worked with O’Hara on the Apple TV+ series The Studio, recalled how much she inspired him. I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen, he said. She made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating.
O’Hara remained active in her career until the end. She earned critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for her role as Patty Leigh in The Studio and had a role in the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, where she played Gail, a sharp and complex psychotherapist. She also reprised her role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and voiced Pinktail in the 2025 animated film The Wild Robot.
Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. Her legacy continues through her memorable work with SCTV, her collaborations with Eugene Levy, and the countless roles that brought laughter and emotion to audiences worldwide.
For many fans, the memory of O’Hara will always be tied to Culkin’s iconic Home Alone moments. Culkin’s tribute reminds us how powerful her performances were and how much she meant to the people who worked closest with her.
What is your favorite Catherine O’Hara memory, from her unforgettable “Kevin!” scream to the dramatic flair of Moira Rose? Share your thoughts in the comments.