Did Catherine O’Hara Have Children? She Is Survived by Two Sons

Schitt’s Creek actress Catherine O’Hara had two sons, Matthew and Luke Welch, with her husband Bo Welch before passing away at the age of 71 in January 2026.

A spokesperson from the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to Us Weekly on January 30, 2026, that paramedics responded to a medical aid request at Catherine’s Brentwood residence that morning, and she was taken to a local hospital in “serious condition.”

Us reported that O’Hara died after a “brief illness,” though an official cause of death has not yet been determined.

“A private celebration of life will be conducted by the family,” a family representative stated to Us.

O’Hara and her spouse, Bo, an Oscar and Emmy-nominated production designer, welcomed their two children after meeting during the filming of 1988’s Beetlejuice. They married five years later, with their first child, Matthew, born in 1994, followed by Luke in 1997.

“I spend as much time with my family as possible,” she shared with 519 Magazine in August 2019. “When considering my career choices, my family has always been my top priority. I have two sons, and when they were babies, I questioned the point of working if I wasn’t going to be with them. That will always be my primary consideration.”

Continue reading to learn more about O’Hara and Welch’s two sons:

Matthew Welch

Catherine O’Hara and Bo Welch welcomed their eldest son, Matthew Welch, two years after marrying in 1992.

The actress disclosed to People in 2024 that she once had a “sickening” parenting moment reminiscent of her classic 1990 film Home Alone. (O’Hara starred in both Home Alone and its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, as Kate McCallister, a mother whose son Kevin is left home alone during the holidays on two occasions.)

Catherine recounted a frightening experience of taking her young children on a subway ride in New York, where disaster nearly struck when the train doors closed before they could board.

“We turned around just as the doors were closing, and they were still outside,” she recalled. “I screamed, and others joined in. It makes me sick to think of what could have happened!”

The actress added, “What happens then? You’re on the train, moving to the next stop. You wonder if they’ll remain in that spot or if they’ll think to take the next train. We didn’t have phones back then.”

Luke Welch

Luke Welch was born in 1997. Catherine O’Hara shared with 519 Magazine in 2019 that she and Bo Welch decided early on to prioritize their family over career ambitions.

“When I’m working, I’m entirely focused on that; I sometimes forget I’m married and have kids,” Catherine admitted. “That sounds terrible, and I realize I’m less focused on my responsibilities as a wife and mother. Thus, I’ve always been cautious about the work I accept.”

She continued, “I have wonderful friends and a life outside of work, which is a blessing. I manage to balance my career and my family. Not everyone has that opportunity.”

Catherine O’Hara’s Sons Are Both in the Entertainment Industry

Matthew and Luke Welch lead private lives and avoid social media, but Catherine O’Hara has revealed details about them over the years. In a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair, she noted that both sons contributed to her acclaimed comedy series Schitt’s Creek, one working as a set dresser and the other in set construction.

During a 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Catherine disclosed that part of her motivation for joining The Last of Us season 2 was because one of her sons worked on the HBO series.

“My son is a set dresser on the show,” she confirmed.

Catherine O’Hara Said Her Sons Share Her Sense of Humor

Catherine O’Hara is one of Canada’s celebrated comedic talents, beginning her career on the groundbreaking sketch show SCTV and later starring in beloved films like Home Alone, Best in Show, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Disney’s Elemental.

Her two Emmy Awards came nearly four decades apart – first for SCTV in 1982 and then for Schitt’s Creek in 2020. Her iconic role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek earned her the Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Award at the 2020 Golden Globes.

In a 2007 interview with The Toronto Star, Catherine revealed that her sons, Matthew and Luke, were continuing the family’s comedic tradition.

“They’re very funny, and we support that,” Catherine expressed. “The older one performs Warner Brothers cartoon bits, vintage vaudeville humor, while the younger one enjoys wordplay.”

She added, “I’m proud to say we all make each other laugh. In my upbringing, laughter was valued. My parents made each other laugh until the end, which is a beautiful legacy.”