The Crucial Role Tim Burton Played In Catherine O'Hara's Long Lasting Marriage

When Catherine O'Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71, she not only left behind an iconic comedy career, but a family who loved her very much. O'Hara was the mother of two sons, Matthew and Luke Welch, whom she had with her husband, Bo Welch. The two married in 1992, creating a union that lasted for over three decades. And none of it would have happened without a chance encounter on the set of Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice," where Welch worked as the film's production designer and O'Hara co-starred.

In a 2024 interview with People, O'Hara reminisced about becoming friends with Welch during filming. "We'd hang out on the set, and we'd have some laughs. I thought, 'He's going to ask me out.'" The problem, however, was that Welch was too slow in taking the next step, so O'Hara sought advice from Burton about her confusion. Rather than wanting no part of it, the director offered, "Let me see what I can do." After a conversation with his boss, Welch asked O'Hara out on a date of sorts by saying, "Our department's going to a swap meet. You want to come?" The actor agreed, and about four years later, the couple was married. 

In a 2024 interview with The New York Times alongside her "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" co-stars, O'Hara also recounted how Burton helped set her and Welch up. Winona Ryder added, "Tim as Cupid!"

Bo Welch may have not been a household name like his wife was, but he's had a stellar Hollywood career of his own. Welch was the production designer behind several huge blockbusters, such as "The Lost Boys," "Ghostbusters II," and "Men in Black." He also worked with Tim Burton twice more in the same role on "Edward Scissorhands" and "Batman Returns."

After getting married, Welch and Catherine O'Hara, who was from Canada, settled in Los Angeles, where they lived until O'Hara's death. In a profession where so many big stars divorce often, Welch and O'Hara made it through the hard days.

O'Hara discussed the challenges with People, admitting, "We've been through some dangerous times in our marriage, and thank God we both just really wanted to work on it and stay married." To her, the key was laughter. O'Hara and Welch teased each other often, which had an effect on how she looked at the man she loved: "It's a very sexy thing to make each other laugh." If that's the case, then Welch had it made, because he was married to one of the funniest women on the planet.