Hollywood Mourns: ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Star Catherine O’Hara Passes Away at 71

Hollywood has lost one of its most beloved actresses and comedians. Catherine O’Hara, renowned for her roles in Schitt’s Creek and Penelope, passed away at the age of 71 in Los Angeles. On the morning of January 30, her health suddenly deteriorated, and she was rushed to a hospital, where she later died.

Career Highlights and Achievements
Catherine O’Hara enjoyed a career spanning over 50 years, earning critical acclaim for her versatility. She won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2017, she was honored with the Order of Canada. Though she appeared in numerous projects, she was best known for her iconic performance in the acclaimed series Schitt’s Creek.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department, emergency officials received a call at 4:48 AM on January 30 reporting her critical condition at her Los Angeles home. She was immediately hospitalized, and despite medical attention, she passed away later that day.

Personal Life
Catherine is survived by her husband Bo Welch and their two sons, Matthew (32) and Luke (28). In a March interview with Variety, she reflected on how her upbringing and health shaped her comedic instincts, saying, “Nothing beats survival instinct. As a comedian, my job is to find the light.”

Early Life and Background
Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Catherine was the sixth of seven children in a Catholic Irish family. Her elder sister, Mary Margaret O’Hara, is a musician and actress. Catherine graduated from Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute in 1974. She credited her sense of humor to her parents, who encouraged laughter and playful banter at the family dining table.

Film and Television Career
Catherine began her career in comedy in 1974 as a cast member of Toronto’s famed The Second City troupe, later appearing on Saturday Night Live. She also featured in TV specials such as The Rimshots, Rosie, and Witches Night Out.

She made her feature film debut with Double Negative (1980) and gained prominence in the 1990s with comedy-dramas like The Paper and Wyatt Earp. Catherine earned multiple awards and nominations for her roles in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006).

Voice Acting and Animation
Catherine O’Hara was also a celebrated voice artist, lending her voice to animated films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Bartok the Magnificent, Chicken Little, Over the Hedge, Monster House, Brother Bear 2, Where the Wild Things Are, Frankenweenie, The Addams Family, Elemental, and The Wild Robot.

Health and Rare Condition
Before her passing, Catherine had spoken publicly about her diagnosis with cardiac inversus (dextrocardia with situs inversus), a rare congenital condition in which the heart and other internal organs are reversed. The Creative Artists Agency confirmed her death was due to a “short illness related to age,” but no further details were provided.

Catherine O’Hara’s unmatched talent, humor, and warmth have left an indelible mark on Hollywood, and she will be remembered as one of the most iconic comedians and actresses of her generation.