Catherine O’Hara ‘was forced to miss filming for season two of The Studio’ just days before her death aged 71

In the days before Catherine O’Hara’s death at the age of 71, it was reported that she was forced to miss the start of filming the second season of The Studio.

In a statement from CAA, the agency that represents O’Hara, it was stated that the actress died on Friday “at her home in Los Angeles following a short illness.”

The actress, known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, was set to begin filming the role of Patty Leigh on The Studio when production began in mid-January.

However, a source close to the production said Catherine was to appear in some early scenes but this had to be changed due to ‘personal matters’.

A source told Sun: ‘He was scheduled to film but they rearranged the schedule to focus on scenes his character wasn’t in.

‘It was not widely known that he was dealing with any health issues or any significant issues. ‘I don’t believe you shot anything for the second season.’

The actress, known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, was set to begin filming the role of Patty Leigh at The Studio when production began in mid-January.

Catherine starred in season one and served as a mentor to Seth Rogen’s character Matt Remick, who heads a film production company.

The comedian was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency at his home in Los Angeles on Friday.

The Best In Show star was ‘having trouble breathing’ before he was taken to hospital, according to an audio recording obtained by the Daily Mail.

First responders were called to O’Hara’s home in Brentwood around 5 a.m. Friday. He was taken to a nearby hospital and was in serious condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The cause of death has not been disclosed at this time.

An LAFD spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘At 4:48 a.m. we responded to a request for medical assistance to this address and transported a female, approximately 70 years old, in serious condition.’

She leaves behind her husband of more than 30 years, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.

O’Hara was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globe Awards on January 11, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Television for the film The Studio.

The ceremony saw Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin take the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture and reflect on his role in the holiday classic.

However, a source close to the production said Catherine was to appear in some early scenes but this had to be changed due to ‘personal matters’.

As news of O’Hara’s tragic death spread, Culkin led the tribute on Instagram with a heartbreaking post.

She shared a split image, one from the classic Home Alone movie and the other from a more recent reunion at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.

‘Mother. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit on the chair next to him. I heard you. But I had more to say. I love you. “See you later,” he wrote.

Other stars also paid tribute, including Pedro Pascal, who starred alongside O’Hara in the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote: ‘Oh, being around you is a genius. We are forever grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that has you will always keep you. Always’, I add a heart emoji.

Justin Theroux, who starred with O’Hara in Beetlejuice, shared a photo of his eponymous chair on the set and simply wrote, “Oh Catherine.” You will be greatly missed.’

Filmmaker Ron Howard, who worked with O’Hara on the 1994 film The Paper, described the loss as “shocking news.”

‘What a wonderful person, artist and collaborator,’ he wrote.

When the news of O’Hara’s tragic death became public, Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin led the tribute on Instagram with a heartbreaking post.

‘Mother. “I thought we had time,” he wrote in the caption.

O’Hara played Culkin’s mother in the first two Home Alone films.

She enjoyed a sweet reunion with her on-screen mother, who introduced her at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in 2023.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to direct, produce and star in projects with him, and he’s shined brighter with each passing year. My heart goes out to Bo and her family.’

Just a week before her surprising appearance at the 2025 Emmy Awards in September, O’Hara reunited with longtime collaborator Eugene Levy as she was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Levy was clearly emotional as he presented her with the gold award, and a heartfelt acceptance speech was given.

‘Eugene, this is too much. ‘Thank you, darling,’ he said after we met.

The star continued: ‘My darling Eugene. ‘When I think back to my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them were with you.’

Their on-screen partnership dates back to the 1970s, when they first shared the screen on the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television.

They co-starred in the 1996 comedy-musical Waiting for Guffman, which Levy co-wrote with Christopher Guest, and later in the 2000 dog show satire Best in Show, playing Gerry and Cookie Fleck.

O’Hara and Levy continued their collaboration in 2003 with A Mighty Wind, a mockumentary about a fictional folk music gathering, and again in 2006 with For Your Consideration, a Hollywood spoof in which O’Hara played an actor and Levy played her co-star’s manager.

Fans also remember O’Hara’s memorable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice; He is pictured in a Beetlejuice promotional photo with Geena Davis in 1988.

O’Hara had a resurgence in Schitt’s Creek, playing the eccentric Moira Rose; (L-R) O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy and Annie Murphy in the show’s promotional image

A Toronto native, O’Hara got her start as a member of the legendary SCTV cast and helped launch the careers of comedy icons like John Candy, Levy and Rick Moranis.

The actress became a household name when she played Culkin’s mother in the first two Home Alone films and wowed audiences as the eccentric Moira Rose in all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek.

His comedic talent also shined in popular mockumentaries such as Christopher Guest’s Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003).

Fans also remember his memorable turns in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.

She revived her career on Schitt’s Creek last decade, winning an Emmy for her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose.

In 2020, she received the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for this role.

O’Hara’s awards resume was already formidable: She won an Emmy in 1982 for her work on SCTV Network and in 2020 for her iconic role as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek; It earned eight more nominations for acting and writing.

In 2017, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest awards.

In 2025, he received a rare double nomination, known for his guest role on HBO’s The Last of Us and his performance in The Studio.