Canadian comedy powerhouse Catherine O’Hara dead at 71

The Canadian comedian Catherine O’Hara, known for her Emmy-winning performance in “Schitt’s Creek,” her humble start in “SCTV”, and her prolific work in the entertainment industry, has died at 71.

Her agency, the Creative Artists Agency, said in a statement that she died in her Los Angeles home Friday, “following a brief illness.”

There are no further details available at this time.

The Toronto-born actress got her start in the comedy world at Second City Toronto, where she worked as an waitress before joining the sketch comedy troupe’s cast and the television adaptation, “SCTV.”

Her writing for the series earned her an Emmy in 1982, but she would later earn her second Emmy almost 40 years later for her role as the lovably eccentric Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek.”

O’Hara received dozens of awards during her career and was highly decorated for her work, including winning several Canadian Screen Awards, and earning a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2007.

She received the Order of Canada in 2018 and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards lifetime achievement award in 2021.

Last year, O’Hara earned a Toronto International Film Festival Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award and was nominated for two Emmys — one for supporting actress in a comedy for her role in Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” and one for guest actress in a drama for an appearance on “The Last of Us.”

The Screen Actor’s Guild posted on X just after 2 p.m., sending condolences for O’Hara’s family and colleagues.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Catherine O’Hara. A beloved actor and comedian, she was a two-time Actor Award winner and a current nominee. Our condolences to her family, colleagues and legions of fans. #SagAftraMember since 1980 https://t.co/m3Z1qqvXkQ

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 30, 2026

With files from The Canadian Press.

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