Macaulay Culkin has shared a deeply emotional tribute following the death of his longtime Home Alone co-star Catherine O’Hara, who passed away at the age of 71. The actress, beloved for her warmth, comedic brilliance, and decades-long career, died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to confirmation from her management. No official cause of death has been released.
The news of O’Hara’s passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans around the world, particularly those who grew up watching her iconic portrayal of Kate McCallister, the frantic yet fiercely loving mother in the Home Alone films. For many, she was more than a character — she was a defining presence of childhood holiday memories.
Culkin, who rose to global fame as a child actor playing Kevin McCallister, shared his grief in a heartfelt Instagram post that captured the depth of their bond. Alongside two photographs — one taken during the filming of Home Alone and another from years later at Culkin’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony — he wrote a message that read less like a celebrity statement and more like a personal farewell.
“Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin wrote. “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.”
The words immediately resonated with fans, many of whom commented on the post to express their condolences and to reflect on how O’Hara’s on-screen portrayal of Kevin’s mother mirrored the genuine affection she appeared to share with Culkin off-screen.
The two photos Culkin shared symbolized the span of their relationship. One captured them during the early 1990s at the height of Home Alone’s success, while the second showed a much older Culkin standing beside O’Hara during the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — a moment that had already been emotional even before her passing.
Catherine O’Hara’s career spanned decades and genres, but her roots were firmly planted in comedy. She began her rise to prominence on the Canadian sketch comedy show Second City Television, where her sharp timing and fearless performances earned her early acclaim and her first Emmy Award. That platform became the launching pad for a career that blended humor with surprising emotional depth.
She went on to star in a wide range of films, including Beetlejuice, where her eccentric performance became instantly iconic, and later in both Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, films that cemented her place in pop culture history. While the Home Alone franchise centered on Culkin’s Kevin, O’Hara’s portrayal of Kate McCallister grounded the chaos with genuine maternal urgency and heart.
Years later, O’Hara reflected on her experience filming Home Alone and admitted that one particular scene had been especially difficult for her. Speaking during Culkin’s Walk of Fame ceremony, she recalled the moment in the film when her character sends Kevin to sleep in the attic after an argument.
“The scene where I had to drag him upstairs to sleep in the attic ‘cause he’d misbehaved,” she said, recounting the dialogue in which Kate tells Kevin he would be sad if he woke up without his family, only for him to reply that he wouldn’t be. Her scripted response — telling him to say it again “maybe it’ll happen” — deeply unsettled her.
“I can’t tell you how much that killed me,” O’Hara admitted. “I could not wrap my head around saying something so horrific to this beautiful child.”
At the time, O’Hara was not yet a mother herself. She later joked that becoming a parent gave her new perspective, acknowledging that real-life parenting sometimes includes saying things one never imagined they would. Still, the memory underscored how seriously she took her role, even in a family comedy.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment world following the announcement of her death. Actor Pedro Pascal, who worked alongside O’Hara on The Last of Us, shared his own emotional message, praising her talent and presence.
“Oh, genius to be near you,” Pascal wrote. “Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. Always. The one and ONLY Catherine O’Hara.”
The outpouring of grief reflects O’Hara’s rare ability to bridge generations. She was equally revered by those who grew up watching her early work and by younger audiences who discovered her later roles. Colleagues frequently described her as generous, kind, and deeply committed to her craft.
Beyond her professional achievements, O’Hara was a devoted wife and mother. She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. The family has requested privacy as they grieve her loss.
For Macaulay Culkin, however, the loss is both public and profoundly personal. His tribute made clear that O’Hara was not just a co-star from his childhood, but a formative presence in his life — someone who embodied comfort, safety, and care during an intense period of fame.
As fans revisit Home Alone in the coming years, many will now view the film through a different lens, recognizing that behind the laughter and slapstick was a performance rooted in genuine compassion. Catherine O’Hara’s legacy lives on not only in her body of work, but in the emotional connections she forged — with audiences, with fellow actors, and with the child who once played her son on screen.
Her absence leaves a noticeable void in the industry, but her influence remains enduring. As Culkin wrote in his farewell, simple and devastating in its honesty, “I’ll see you later.”
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
