Los Angeles, CA – Renowned actress Catherine O’Hara, celebrated for her iconic roles in films like Beetlejuice and the television series Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71, according to a statement from her agency. The news, confirmed by Us Weekly on Friday, January 30, 2025, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from Hollywood, including a heartfelt message from director Tim Burton, who collaborated with O’Hara on multiple projects.
Burton, the 67-year-old filmmaker behind the original Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, shared his grief on Instagram. “Catherine, I love you,” he wrote. “This picture shows how much light you gave to all of us.” Accompanying the post was a behind-the-scenes photograph from the set of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, featuring Burton posing alongside O’Hara in costume, as well as co-stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega. The image captured a moment of camaraderie during production in 2024, highlighting the close professional bond they shared.
“You were a special part of my life and after life,” Burton concluded in his caption, a nod to the supernatural themes of their joint work. The director’s words resonated widely, underscoring O’Hara’s enduring impact on his career and the film industry at large.
O’Hara’s death followed a brief battle with an undisclosed illness, as reported by her representatives at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). “Prolific multi-award-winning actress, writer and comedian Catherine O’Hara died today at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness,” the agency stated in a release shared with Us Weekly. “A private celebration of life will be held by the family.” The statement emphasized her multifaceted career, which spanned decades and garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards for her role in Schitt’s Creek.
Born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Canada, O’Hara rose to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the Toronto-based sketch comedy troupe The Second City. Her early work there laid the foundation for a career that blended sharp wit, physical comedy, and dramatic depth. She gained widespread recognition in the late 1980s with her role as Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, released in 1988. In the film, O’Hara portrayed the eccentric mother who, along with husband Charles Deetz (played by Jeffrey Jones), moves into a haunted house with their daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder), unwittingly stirring up supernatural chaos involving the mischievous ghost Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton).
The movie, a gothic comedy classic, not only launched O’Hara into stardom but also marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration with Burton. Their partnership extended to the animated holiday favorite The Nightmare Before Christmas in 1993, where O’Hara voiced the character Sally. Reflecting on their relationship in a 2013 interview with Digital Spy, O’Hara described Burton as a cherished collaborator. “I love working with Tim Burton,” she said. “A couple of times when Tim came to town we’d have dinner and it was lovely, kind of like a relative you want to see, where you just sort of go back to what you were like when you last saw each other.”
She noted the geographical challenges of their friendship, with Burton residing in England and herself in Los Angeles. “You know, he lives in England and I live [in Los Angeles], so I’d rarely see him,” O’Hara added. Yet, their professional reunions were frequent and fruitful. Perhaps most poignantly, O’Hara credited Burton with playing matchmaker in her personal life. “I met my husband on Beetlejuice,” she revealed in the same interview. “He designed the sets and he’s a production designer, and Tim actually set us up to date.” Her husband, Bo Welch, a acclaimed production designer known for his work on films like Edward Scissorhands and Men in Black, shared a nearly four-decade marriage with O’Hara.
The duo’s collaboration reached a milestone with the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in September 2024, which brought back much of the original cast, including Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara, while introducing new stars like Jenna Ortega, 23, as Lydia’s daughter, and Justin Theroux. The sequel, directed once again by Burton, grossed over $448 million worldwide, proving the enduring appeal of the franchise. O’Hara, reprising her role as Delia Deetz, spoke enthusiastically about returning to the character in a September 2024 interview with Parade magazine.
“Tim was just so excited and enthusiastic about doing it, and that was infectious,” she said. “Everybody jumped in, and we kept saying, ‘Do you believe we’re doing this?’ And to see Michael’s face for the first time as Beetlejuice! Like, his character doesn’t have to age because he was always dead.”
Despite the excitement, O’Hara admitted to some trepidation about embodying Delia again after 36 years. “It’s 35 years later, I’m probably the oldest cast member, and I let myself age naturally,” she explained to Parade. “So, I’m going on camera playing the same person, but that was also the lovely part. It was lovely to think about where these characters are now.” Her willingness to embrace the passage of time added authenticity to the sequel, earning praise from critics and fans alike.
O’Hara’s career highlights extended far beyond the Beetlejuice universe. In 1990, she stole scenes as the forgetful Aunt Irene in Home Alone, a holiday staple that remains one of the highest-grossing Christmas films ever. Her television work was equally illustrious; from 2015 to 2020, she portrayed Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, a role that earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020, along with multiple other nominations. The series, created by her former Second City colleague Dan Levy and his father Eugene, became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its heartfelt portrayal of family and reinvention.
Earlier in her career, O’Hara appeared in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003), showcasing her improvisational talents. She also lent her voice to animated features like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Frankenweenie (2012), another Burton project. In 2024, O’Hara starred in the Apple TV+ series The Studio, further demonstrating her versatility.
News of her passing has elicited reactions from across the entertainment world. Michael Keaton, who played Beetlejuice, and Winona Ryder have reportedly shared their condolences, though specific statements were not immediately available as of Friday evening. Justin Theroux, O’Hara’s co-star in the sequel, also mourned her loss in a separate tribute, according to related reports from Us Weekly.
O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, their two sons, Matthew and Luke, and several siblings. The family has requested privacy during this time, with the private celebration of life planned in the coming weeks. Her death comes at a moment when her legacy is freshly highlighted by the success of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reminding audiences of her luminous presence on screen.
As tributes continue to pour in, O’Hara’s influence on comedy and character acting remains undeniable. From her early days in Canadian theater to her late-career triumphs, she brought joy and depth to every role, leaving an indelible mark on generations of viewers and artists alike. Hollywood has lost a true original, but her work ensures her spirit endures.