Catherine O’Hara, beloved for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, recently revealed her struggle delivering a particularly harsh line to her young co-star Macaulay Culkin in the 1990 holiday classic. Playing Kevin McCallister’s mother, Kate, O’Hara admitted that the emotionally charged scene “almost killed” her.
In the film, Kate sends Kevin to sleep in the attic after a family spat, culminating in a tense exchange. When Kevin declares he doesn’t want to see his family again, Kate responds, “You’d feel pretty sad if you woke up tomorrow morning and you didn’t have a family.” Reflecting on the line, O’Hara confessed during her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony last year, “I could not wrap my head around saying something so horrific to this beautiful child.”
At the time, O’Hara wasn’t yet a mother herself, which she believes heightened her discomfort with the line. She humorously acknowledged, “Now, as a mom, I can’t believe the things I’ve said to my own sons.”
O’Hara also praised Culkin’s talent, calling him a “superstar” who brought humor and intelligence to his role. “It’s a gift, and it’s why you’ve continued to captivate audiences ever since Home Alone,” she said.
The iconic scene remains a poignant moment in the timeless holiday film, reminding fans of the emotional depth and humor that have made Home Alone a classic.