Irene Columbus was never famous, but her son, American filmmaker Chris Columbus, made the family’s name popular by directing and producing some of the most successful films, including Home Alone (1990), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). She was a factory worker and was also credited as an actress for her uncredited role in her son’s movie Home Alone.
She passed away from cancer in 1995 at the age of 61 in San Francisco, California. Chris Columbus directed Stepmom (1998) three years after her death and dedicated it to her memory.
Irene Columbus Hailed From Bakerstown, Pennsylvania
Irene Columbus was born Irene Mary Puskar in Bakerstown, Pennsylvania, on December 12, 1934. Although she grew up in Bakerstown, details about her early life, childhood, and family background are not public knowledge.
Irene was married to Alex Michael Columbus, a World War II Navy veteran and member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, and the Screen Actors Guild. He was also a coal miner and worked at an aluminum factory. Alex was born on September 7, 1927, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, and died on May 5, 2012, at the age of 86, in Madeira Beach, Pinellas County, Florida.
Chris Columbus’ Mother Worked In A Factory And Had Uncredited Roles In A Few Movies
Irene Columbus was a factory worker, though the type of factory she worked in is not known. Her husband, Alex, was a coal miner who later moved the family to Ohio, where he worked at an aluminum factory.
Besides her factory job, Irene was mentioned as an actress by IMDB and others. According to these sources, she played minor or uncredited roles in Home Alone (1990) and Nine Months (1995); both films were directed and produced by her son Chris Columbus.
After these two movies, there is no record of her taking any other roles in films.
See Also: Coni Momoa: Inside The Life Of Jason Momoa’s Mother
She Died From Cancer In 1995
On December 28, 1995, Chris Columbus’ mother, Irene Columbus, passed away after battling cancer, at 61. She died in Bakerstown, San Francisco, California.
Her death came a few months before the release of Nine Months, directed by her son, in which she had a minor or uncredited role.
At the time of her passing, her husband, Alex, was still alive. He passed away 19 years later, as previously mentioned.
Chris Dedicated Stepmom (1998) To Her Memory
After Irene’s passing, her son Chris Columbus directed the movie Stepmom. Released in 1998, three years after her death, the comedy-drama follows a terminally ill woman who must deal with her ex-husband’s new lover, who will become the stepmother of their children.
The film, which starred Julia Roberts, Jessie Nelson, Steven Rogers, Karen Leigh Hopkins, and Ron Bass, was dedicated to Irene’s memory by Chris.
Chris Columbus Is Her Only Child
Irene Columbus and Alex Michael Columbus had their son, Chris Joseph Columbus, on September 10, 1958, in Spangler, Pennsylvania. He was their only child, as they did not have any other children.
Chris blessed them with four grandchildren when he married choreographer Monica Devereux in 1983. Their children are Eleanor Columbus, born on October 12, 1989; Brendan Columbus, born in 1992; Violet Columbus, born in 1994; and Isabella Columbus, born in 1996.
… And He’s Not Related To Christopher Columbus
One of the many questions that arise when searching for information on Irene Columbus’ son is whether he is related to the Italian explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus. The truth is, they are not related, even though his father’s family immigrated from Italy.
Irene and her husband, Alex, named their son Chris because of a long-held wish by his father to have a Chris in the family. In fact, the filmmaker remarked that:
Most People think I’ve changed it to Chris and I say to them, ‘Are you insane?’
