Catherine O’Hara once revealed what Macaulay Culkin calls her, and it would make a grown man cry
'Mama. I thought we had time,' wrote the celebrity child artist.
The devastating news of actor Catherine O’Hara’s passing left many hearts broken. The “Schitt’s Creek” star passed away on January 30, 2026, according to PEOPLE. Ever since, tributes have been flowing for the charming and energetic soul who lifted Hollywood with her aura. One of her favorite co-stars, Macaulay Culkin, who starred alongside her as “Kevin” in “Home Alone,” also penned a tribute to his mom on set. In his post shared on Instagram one day after her passing, the actor addressed O’Hara as “mama” before sharing heartbreaking words. And that’s who she was to him for decades. In a viral video posted on February 1 by u/smilegeorgee, the late actor revealed that Culkin never stopped calling her “mommy.”
“Home Alone” was released in 1990, and the beautiful relationship between O’Hara and Culkin as mother and son stuck with many. The iconic script where she forgot her own son back home while on a family vacation continues to regale our hearts even today. In another report from PEOPLE, it was revealed that back then, too, the duo formed a bond just as close as what they portrayed on set. The video, featuring a recent interview given by O’Hara, revealed that the duo were still tight-knit with the same special bond. When asked whether she was still in touch with Culkin, the actor confessed that they hadn’t seen each other in years. However, she had a smile that revealed something more.
“I saw him around two and a half years ago, at a Martin art Hall, and he was coming out and he said, ‘Mommy,’ and I said, ‘Baby,’” O’Hara recounted, gesturing open and welcoming arms as she did back in the 90s onset and as any mother would for her baby, no matter their age. The clip then went back in time to reveal the historically tear-jerking reunions from the franchise when Kevin finally meets his mom and runs into her arms. Culkin’s innocent eyes, looking for safety and finally finding them in the arms of his mom, and O’Hara’s relieved smile, are something that made that reunion even more special and real. And it’s what they carried through the years.
After hearing of his reel-life mom’s passing, Caulkin wrote, “Mama. I thought we had time." He added, "I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you." He shared a picture of a still with O’Hara locking eyes with him in the movie and years later, in the same pose, sharing the same assuring gaze at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Culkin was getting his star. In a clip shared by Entertainment Tonight, O’Hara spoke at the ceremony, revealing how much she loved being his “fake mom.” “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. God bless you,” she remarked.
In a study published by the American Psychological Association, Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh and lead author Jasmin Wertz studied how affectionate motherhood impacted children between the ages of 5 and 10. It was revealed that the warmth children were exposed to through their mother’s love helped make them “open, conscientious and agreeable” young adults. It was thus revealed that a mother’s affection can shape a child and aid their future personality development. Wertz explained how the study helped underline how parenting programs can affect a child and how “parenting and life experiences interact to shape who we are.”
Though Hollywood has lost a phenomenal mother, her affection, poise, humor, and talent will never be forgotten. As Culkin wrote, it's not goodbye, it's, "I’ll see you later." u/cassandrasaged said, “She will always be Kevin’s mom.” u/Reasonable-Ninja188 added, “Some bonds just don’t fade no matter how old you get. RIP Ms Catherine.”
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