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Beloved Actress Catherine O’Hara’s Cause of Death Revealed
Los Angeles, CA – The entertainment world continues to mourn the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the iconic actress known for her unforgettable roles in “Home Alone” and “Schitt’s Creek.” New details have emerged regarding her passing, with a death certificate revealing the cause of death as a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer identified as the underlying factor. O’Hara was 71 years old.
According to the official document obtained by TMZ, O’Hara was cremated following her death.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that first responders were dispatched to O’Hara’s Brentwood residence around 5 a.m. on January 30th. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital in serious condition, where she passed away several hours later. Her representatives confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time that the “prolific multi-award-winning actress, writer, and comedian” died “at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.”
Decades before her passing, O’Hara discovered she had a rare medical condition called dextrocardia situs inversus during a routine doctor’s visit over 20 years ago. She humorously recounted the experience on a 2020 episode of “Virtual Happy Hour” with Kathryn Hall, noting, “He calls us into his office and says, ‘You’re the first one I’ve met!'”
She admitted to intentionally not learning the full name of the condition, stating, “I kind of don’t want to know. Because I didn’t know before that.”
Catherine O’Hara’s illustrious career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood comedy. From her memorable portrayal of the harried mother, Kate McAllister, in the “Home Alone” films to her critically acclaimed role as the eccentric Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek,” O’Hara consistently captivated audiences with her unique talent. Her extensive filmography also includes beloved titles such as “Beetlejuice” and lending her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
In the later stages of her career, O’Hara garnered significant acclaim for her work on “Schitt’s Creek,” earning an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, a Critics’ Choice Award, a TCA Award, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards for the final two seasons of the show. More recently, she received Emmy nominations for her guest appearances in “The Last of Us” and “The Studio.”
Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her siblings Michael O’Hara, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O’Hara, Tom O’Hara, and Patricia Wallice. Her legacy as a gifted actress and comedian will undoubtedly continue to inspire and entertain for generations to come.