Catherine O’Hara’s most memorable quotes about motherhood are made even more poignant in the wake of the « Home Alone » star’s death at 71
As Hollywood mourns the loss of Catherine O’Hara, fans of the Home Alone star are looking back at how the late actress discussed the most important role of her life — mom.
“I’m proud to say, we all make each other laugh,” O’Hara told the Toronto Star in 2007 of life with her sons Matthew and Luke, who she shared with her husband, Bo Welch.
“In my home, growing up — I learned that from my parents,” she continued at the time. “They made each other laugh to the end, God bless ‘em. How great is that?”
She added of her sons, “They’re very funny, and we encourage it. The older one does Warners cartoon bits, really old-fashioned, cheap-a** funny vaudeville stuff. And the little one does word play.”
News broke on January 30, 2026, that O’Hara died at the age of 71. No cause of death was immediately given, though the actress was reportedly battling an illness and hospitalized in “serious condition” prior to her death.
Despite her successful career starring in some of the most beloved and iconic TV shows and films, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek and Best in Show, O’Hara made it clear that she always put motherhood first.
“I’m with my family as much as I can be,” she told 519 Magazine in 2019.
