Macaulay Culkin Pays Heartbreaking Tribute to His Home Alone 'Mama' Catherine O'Hara Who Died at 71

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara. She died at the age of 71 on Friday.

Actress Catherine O’Hara, best known for portraying Kevin McCallister’s devoted mother in the Home Alone films, has died at the age of 71. News of her death was confirmed by her representatives, who noted that the actress passed away after a brief illness.

Her death prompted tributes from colleagues across the entertainment industry — including a deeply personal message from Macaulay Culkin, who played her on-screen son in the beloved holiday franchise.

Culkin shared his tribute on social media, posting photos of himself with O’Hara from both their time filming Home Alone and from later reunions. In the caption, he addressed her simply as “Mama,” a reference to her iconic role in his early career. “I thought we had time,” Culkin wrote, expressing regret and grief over her passing. His words made clear that their relationship extended far beyond their work together on screen.

The two first met in the early 1990s, when Culkin was a child star and O’Hara was already an established performer. In Home Alone and its sequel, O’Hara portrayed Kate McCallister, the frantic yet fiercely loving mother determined to reunite with her son after he is accidentally left behind over the holidays. Her performance became one of the emotional anchors of the films, grounding the comedy with genuine warmth.

Although their most famous collaboration took place decades ago, Culkin and O’Hara stayed in touch over the years. Culkin has spoken in interviews about the sense of safety and stability O’Hara brought to the set during his childhood, describing her as someone who treated him with care and respect at a time when his life was under intense public scrutiny.

Their bond was especially visible during a public reunion in December 2023, when Culkin received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. O’Hara joined him at the ceremony and delivered a heartfelt speech in his honor. Video from the event later circulated online, capturing laughter, embraces, and visible emotion between the two, as Culkin appeared deeply moved by her words.

At the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, O’Hara took the stage to celebrate Culkin’s achievements, playfully referencing their Home Alone history. During her speech, she thanked him for including her in the celebration, calling the moment a happy occasion and expressing how proud she was of him.

“Thank you for including me, your fake mom who left you home alone not once but twice, to share in this happy occasion. I’m so proud of you.”

O’Hara herself frequently reflected on Home Alone with affection in interviews and podcast appearances. She acknowledged the lasting impact of the film and the way it continued to shape her public identity decades later. Despite a career filled with diverse roles, she recognized that her portrayal of Kate McCallister remained one of her most enduring and widely recognized performances.

During her remarks, she praised Culkin not only for his talent, but for the life he had built as an adult. She spoke warmly about his partner and children, describing his family as “lovely,” and emphasized how proud she was of him.

Beyond Home Alone, Catherine O’Hara built an extraordinary career across film, television, and comedy. She gained early recognition for her work in improvisational comedy and later became known for her collaborations with filmmaker Christopher Guest. In more recent years, she earned renewed acclaim for her portrayal of Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, a role that showcased her unique comedic style and earned her major awards and renewed critical recognition.

Colleagues often described O’Hara as generous, sharp-witted, and deeply committed to her craft. Her performances were known for their precision, emotional intelligence, and fearless creativity — qualities that made her a standout presence in every project she joined.

For Culkin, however, O’Hara’s significance was personal as well as professional. His tribute made clear that she was not simply a former co-star, but someone who played a lasting role in his life. By calling her “Mama,” he echoed the way she had been woven into both his career and his personal history.

As her legacy continues to be reflected upon through her work, O’Hara is being remembered as an actress who brought heart, humor, and humanity to every role she played. And for Macaulay Culkin, her loss represents not just the passing of a Hollywood icon, but the loss of someone who had remained a steady, caring presence from his earliest days in the spotlight.