Imagine a child star from one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time, vanishing from Hollywood at the peak of their career. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing—decades later, this forgotten actress emerges to honor the memory of her beloved co-star, Catherine O’Hara, who recently passed away. Meet Hillary Wolf Saba, the 49-year-old actress who played Meghan, Kevin McCallister’s older sister in Home Alone and its sequel. While her on-screen brother, Macaulay Culkin, remained in the spotlight, Hillary chose a radically different path—trading the glitz of Tinseltown for the discipline of judo mats.
In a rare social media post, Hillary reminisced about her time on the Home Alone set, sharing a heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara, who portrayed her on-screen mother. Alongside a nostalgic cast photo featuring Catherine, Macaulay, Devin Ratray (Buzz McCallister), and director Chris Columbus, Hillary wrote, ‘My on-screen mom was so good to all of us kids on the sets of Home Alone 1 & 2. She was sweet and she was hilarious! RIP Catherine O’Hara.’ This isn’t the first time Hillary has praised Catherine’s kindness and humor. In a 2021 essay for Newsweek, she recalled, ‘She was funny, great with kids, and just a wonderful person. Filming the scene where we ran through O’Hare airport was so much fun because I was with Catherine.’
And this is the part most people miss—while Hillary’s acting career was short-lived, her athletic achievements are nothing short of remarkable. After leaving Hollywood, she became a world-class judoka, winning the junior judo world championships in 1994 and representing the USA in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. Though she didn’t medal, her passion for physical sports remained unwavering. In 2004, she and her husband, Chris, founded a wrestling club near their home in Colorado, where they raised their two sons, Michael and Dylan.
Catherine O’Hara’s passing from a pulmonary embolism at 71 has left many in mourning, including Macaulay Culkin, who shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram: ‘Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I love you. I’ll see you later.’ Director Chris Columbus also expressed his grief, calling himself an ‘obsessive fan’ of Catherine’s work.
But here’s the controversial question: In an era where child stars often struggle with fame, did Hillary Wolf Saba make the right choice by leaving Hollywood for a life of sports and family? Or did she miss out on the enduring legacy that comes with staying in the spotlight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Whether you’re team Hollywood or team judo, one thing’s for sure—Hillary’s journey is a testament to the power of following your heart, no matter how unconventional the path may seem.
