The pair had remained close ever since O'Hara played Culkin's on-screen mother in 'Home Alone'
By Emma Wilkes 30th January 2026
Catherine O'Hara and Macaulay Culkin. Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty
Macaulay Culkin has written an emotional tribute to his late Home Alone co-star Catherine O’Hara, who has died aged 71.
O’Hara played Kate, the mother of Culkin’s character Kevin, who accidentally leaves him behind in Chicago when the family goes on holiday to Paris in the 1990 Christmas classic, and they reappeared on screen together for the 1992 sequel Home Alone: Lost In New York.
AdvertisementThe pair had remained close ever since, with Culkin revealing to the The New York Times in 2024 that he still called O’Hara “mom” and and she called him “son”.
In a post on Instagram, Culkin wrote: “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 also shared photos of the pair in the film as well as a more recent one of them from when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2023.
In the comments, he added: “I’m mad about this…”
View this post on Instagram
At the ceremony in 2023, O’Hara gave a speech about watching Culkin evolve as an actor as he grew into a man.
Recommended“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 said.
“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.”
Culkin is among many names from the entertainment world sharing their tributes to O’Hara.
Pedro Pascal, who appeared alongside O’Hara in The Last Of Us, shared a photograph of them with the caption: “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. The one and ONLY Catherine O’Hara.”
View this post on InstagramAdvertisement
John Grant said in his tribute that O’Hara’s passing is “the worst one i’ve experienced next to my mother’s death”.
“Felt like a punch in the throat. She’s simply another one of those humans I can’t imagine the world without. I guarantee you Catherine probably pulled millions of people back from the brink with her incredible talent and of course she will continue to,” he wrote. “She certainly has enriched my life ever since i first came across her in Beetlejuice or SCTV decades ago. Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, For Your Consideration, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Last of Us, The Studio, Schitt’s Creek!!!!!, The Nightmare Before Christmas, After Hours!!!, A Mighty Wind just to name a few of my favorites from what is nothing short of an astounding body of work.
Gesturing to the picture in his post, he continued: “The pic above is a still from For Your Consideration which I think is actually my favorite performance of hers in a Christopher Guest film. Her monologue at the end in which she addresses her acting students is so incredible. (Funny as hell of course, but at the same time exceedingly tragic) But then she was incredible in every single role she played. She will always be remembered as one of the greatest of the great. Absolutely devastating news.”
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Rita Wilson called O’Hara “a woman who was authentic and truthful in all she did. You saw it in her work, if you knew her you saw it in her life, and you saw it in her family.”
View this post on Instagram
Josh Gad admitted that “I don’t understand what I’m seeing. I can’t bring myself to believe she is gone,” in his own tribute.
“Why is the world such a heart breaking place right now? I truly cannot process how to say goodbye to someone so full of life who seemed to just be hitting her prime.
“Goodbye legend. Thank you for making us laugh until we hurt… which is why right now we are all hurting so damned much knowing we will never again get those laughs. RIP. My love and deepest condolences go out to her entire family.”
View this post on Instagram
Devin Ratray, who played Buzz McAllister in the Home Alone franchise, said on Instagram he was “bewildered and numb” by the loss of “one of the greatest people I ever met” and the news “just doesn’t register”.
Check out more tributes below:
Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Catherine O’Hara was one of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words.
She wasn’t just a legendary artist,actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest… pic.twitter.com/06jGk7OyCP
— Michael Bublé (@MichaelBuble) January 30, 2026
Catherine O’Hara changed how so many of us understand comedy and humanity. From the chaos and heart of Home Alone to the unforgettable precision of Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, she created characters we’ll rewatch again and again.
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) January 30, 2026
This is shattering news. What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator. I was lucky enough to direct, produce and act in projects with her and she was simply growing more brilliant with each year. My heart goes out to Bo & family. #RIPCatherineO’Hara https://t.co/7pWcpYARai
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 30, 2026
O’Hara’s manager confirmed that she passed away at home in Los Angeles today (January 30) after a brief illness.
