Catherine O'Hara Net Worth

What was Catherine O'Hara's Net Worth?

Catherine O'Hara was a Canadian-American actress, comedian, and writer who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of her death.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, O'Hara became one of the most respected and versatile comedic performers in film and television. She was best known for starring roles in films such as "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," and "Orange County," as well as for her Emmy-winning performance as Moira Rose on the television series "Schitt's Creek" (2015–2020).

O'Hara first rose to prominence as a member of the original cast of the influential Canadian sketch comedy series "SCTV," which aired from 1976 to 1984. She went on to accumulate more than 100 acting credits, including a long-running creative partnership with director Christopher Guest on mockumentaries such as "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration." She was also a prolific voice actor, lending her voice to films and television projects including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Over the Hedge," "Monster House," "Where the Wild Things Are," "Frankenweenie," and "The Addams Family."

In addition to performing, O'Hara worked behind the scenes as a writer, director, and consulting producer. She served as a consulting producer on "Schitt's Creek," directed episodes of "Dream On" and "The Outer Limits," and was widely regarded as one of comedy's most consistently excellent character actors.

Early Life

Catherine O'Hara was born Catherine Anne O'Hara on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She was raised in a Catholic household alongside six siblings. Her sister, Mary Margaret O'Hara, later became a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter.

O'Hara attended Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute, where she developed an early interest in performance. While there, she appeared in a production of "Harvey" alongside Robin Duke, who would later become her co-star on both "SCTV" and "Schitt's Creek."

Second City and "SCTV"

O'Hara began her professional career in 1974 as a cast member of The Second City in Toronto. Early on, she worked as Gilda Radner's understudy, a position she held until Radner left to join the original cast of "Saturday Night Live."

In 1976, The Second City launched the sketch comedy series "SCTV," which featured O'Hara alongside Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin, and Harold Ramis. The show aired 135 episodes and became one of the most influential comedy programs of its era. O'Hara was both a performer and a writer on the series, helping shape many of its most memorable characters and sketches.

Getty Images

Breakthrough Film Roles

O'Hara made her feature film debut in 1980 with "Nothing Personal" and soon began appearing in a mix of television specials and feature films. Her early film work included roles in "After Hours" (1985) and "Heartburn" (1986).

Her major film breakthrough came in 1988 when she co-starred in Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" alongside Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis. The film was a major commercial success, grossing $84.6 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, and remains one of her most recognizable performances.

"Home Alone" and Mainstream Success

In 1990, O'Hara appeared in two major studio releases. She played Texie Garcia in "Dick Tracy," which grossed $162.7 million worldwide, and starred as Kate McCallister in "Home Alone," opposite child star Macaulay Culkin as her on-screen son and John Heard as her husband, Peter McCallister.

"Home Alone" became one of the most successful comedies of all time, earning $476.7 million globally and turning Culkin into one of the biggest child stars in Hollywood history. O'Hara reprised her role in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992), again appearing alongside Culkin and Heard. The sequel grossed an additional $359 million worldwide and cemented O'Hara's status as a mainstream film star, while her portrayal of the frantic but devoted mother became one of the most enduring performances of her career.

Television Work and Christopher Guest Films

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, O'Hara balanced film work with television appearances. She hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 1991 and 1992 and guest-starred on shows such as "The Larry Sanders Show," "Tales from the Crypt," "The Outer Limits," and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

During this period, she also became closely associated with director Christopher Guest, appearing in mockumentaries including "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration." These films showcased her improvisational skills and earned her widespread critical acclaim.

Her later television work included appearances on "Six Feet Under," "30 Rock," and "Modern Family," as well as roles in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," both in the 2004 film and the 2017 Netflix adaptation.

(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

"Schitt's Creek" and Career Renaissance

From 2015 to 2020, O'Hara starred as Moira Rose on "Schitt's Creek," created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy. The series aired 80 episodes over six seasons and became a cultural phenomenon.

O'Hara's performance as the eccentric former soap star earned her widespread praise and numerous awards. In 2020, the show made Emmy history by sweeping all major comedy categories, with O'Hara winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

During this period, she also continued extensive voice acting work and appeared on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" in 2020, winning $250,000 for the Los Angeles-based charity Upward Bound House.

Personal Life

Catherine O'Hara married production designer Bo Welch on April 25, 1992, after meeting on the set of "Beetlejuice." The couple had two sons, Matthew, born in 1994, and Luke, born in 1997.

O'Hara held dual citizenship in Canada and the United States and purchased a home in Los Angeles in the mid-1990s. One of the most significant personal losses of her life came in 1994, when her close friend and "SCTV" co-star John Candy died suddenly on her 40th birthday. O'Hara delivered a eulogy at his funeral.

Awards and Honors

O'Hara received eight Primetime Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020 for "Schitt's Creek." She also shared a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program in 1982 for her work on "SCTV Network 90."

She earned a Golden Globe Award for her performance as Moira Rose, along with honors from the Screen Actors Guild, Television Critics Association, and numerous critics' groups. She also received awards for her work in "Best in Show" and "For Your Consideration."

O'Hara was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2007 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018. She received lifetime achievement honors from the Toronto International Film Festival, Canadian Screen Awards, ACTRA Awards, and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

Real Estate

In 1994, Catherine O'Hara and Bo Welch purchased a home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles for $1.25 million. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence spans approximately 2,600 square feet. Comparable homes in the area have since sold for around $4 million.

Death

Catherine O'Hara died in January 2026 at the age of 71. Her death was confirmed by a representative for her longtime manager, who did not disclose a cause of death or the exact circumstances. She is remembered as one of the most influential and consistently acclaimed comedic performers of her generation, with a body of work that spanned sketch comedy, film, television, and voice acting.

Who's Richer?

Catherine
O'Hara

Compare!

Eugene
Levy