Bo Welch Shares Heartbreaking Tribute to Catherine O’Hara, Revealing Private Final Days and Their Enduring Love Story

Beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, who passed away in January 2026 at the age of 71, shared a lifetime of love and creativity with her husband, production designer Bo Welch. The couple’s story began on the set of Tim Burton’s 1988 classic Beetlejuice, where Welch was hired for production design and O’Hara starred as Delia Deetz.

At Burton’s urging, Welch asked O’Hara out during filming, and she later moved to Los Angeles to be with him. “Yeah, I moved for love,” O’Hara told The New Yorker in 2019, reflecting on the beginning of their relationship. They married on April 25, 1992, and went on to have two sons, Matthew (born 1994) and Luke (born 1997).

Over three decades, the couple built a strong personal and professional partnership. Welch, an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated production designer, is known for his work on films such as Edward Scissorhands, Men in Black, and A Little Princess. He also directed The Cat in the Hat (2003) and several episodes of A Series of Unfortunate Events, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination along the way.

Reflecting on their life together, Welch fondly recalls their time on Beetlejuice: “My memories of Beetlejuice are very fond… not to mention, I met my wife, who was in it,” he told UPROXX. The couple’s relationship was quietly nurtured by Burton, who helped arrange the pair’s first date at a swap meet during filming.

The family shared many unforgettable moments together—from intimate life events to public appearances. O’Hara and Welch attended award shows, film premieres, and even a private Vatican tour as newlyweds, where O’Hara recalled a humorous encounter with a scolding priest.

In 2024, Welch supported O’Hara at the Venice Film Festival for the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice premiere, complementing her gothic-inspired Oscar de la Renta gown with his classic black suit. Their devotion to each other remained evident, both on and off the red carpet.

Throughout their 33-year marriage, Welch stood by O’Hara during her career triumphs, including her Golden Globe win for Schitt’s Creek, and supported her in private moments away from the public eye. Their love story, marked by shared creativity, quiet devotion, and adventurous travel, continues to resonate with fans around the world.

Bo Welch’s heartfelt tribute following O’Hara’s death highlights a deeply private final chapter, reminding the world of their enduring bond and the remarkable life they shared together.