Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin has revealed he had ‘unfinished business’ with his late onscreen mom Catherine O’Hara before her shock death on January 30.
O’Hara passed away aged 71, from a pulmonary embolism with rectal cancer being the underlying cause – with Culkin, 45, later paying tribute to his ‘mama’ in an emotional Instagram post.
Culkin portrayed the leading role of Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone franchise, starting with the iconic film in 1990 and its sequel in 1992 – alongside O’Hara as his long-suffering mother Kate.
The pair melted hearts when they tearfully reunited in December 2023 for what would be the last time in public – marking Culkin’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
An emotional Culkin told Gentleman’s Journal: ‘When Catherine passed away in January, that hit me. That hit me pretty good, ’cause, you know, it was just too soon.
‘And I felt that we had unfinished business. I definitely feel like I had unfinished business with her, you know?
Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin has revealed he had ‘unfinished business’ with his late onscreen mom Catherine O’Hara before her shock death in January – pictured December 2023
Culkin portrayed the leading role of Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone franchise, starting with the iconic film in 1990 and its sequel in 1992 – alongside O’Hara as his long-suffering mother Kate (pictured in 1990’s Home Alone
‘I feel like I owed her a favor – and I don’t like having an outstanding debt.’
In January a heartbroken Culkin broke his silence on O’Hara’s death, writing: ‘Mama. I thought we had time.’
‘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 concluded the post. ‘I’ll see you later.’
O’Hara memorably gave a speech at Culkin’s Hollywood star ceremony where she lauded his ‘perfect’ performance in the films.
She said: ‘Home Alone was, is and always will be a beloved global sensation… the reason families all over the world can’t let a year go by without watching and loving Home Alone together is because of Macaulay Culkin.
Branding Culkin’s performance ‘perfect’ she added; ‘I know you worked really hard, I know you did, but you made acting look like the most natural thing in the world to do.’
She said Culkin brought his ‘sweet and twisted, yet totally relatable sense of humor to every project he does’, saying: ‘It’s a sign of intelligence in a child and a key to survival at any age.
‘Macaulay, congratulations. You so deserve your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And 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 .’
An emotional Culkin told Gentleman’s Journal : ‘When Catherine passed away in January, that hit me. That hit me pretty good, ’cause, you know, it was just too soon. ‘And I felt that we had unfinished business’ – pictured with O’Hara in December 2023
O’Hara passed away from a pulmonary embolism following a battle with rectal cancer aged 71, with Culkin, 45, paying tribute to his ‘mama’ in an emotional Instagram post earlier this year (pictured in September 2025)
Culkin shot to worldwide fame as the sassy Kevin in the classic Christmas movie
Culkin embraced O’Hara and was seen wiping away tears before taking to the podium.
He was joined at the ceremony by partner Brenda Song and their two sons.‘
O’Hara delivered her final brilliant performance in The Studio, bringing her signature wit and charm to character Patty Leigh – a role which garnered her a posthumous win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series at the 2026 Actor Awards.
