Catherine O’Hara’s Cause of Death Revealed
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed Monday that beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, 71, died from a pulmonary embolism—a blood clot that traveled to her lungs. Rectal cancer was listed as the underlying cause of death on her death certificate.
O’Hara, best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Moira Rose on the Emmy-winning series “Schitt’s Creek,” passed away on January 30 following a brief illness. First responders were dispatched to her Brentwood home in the early morning hours, and she was transported to a local hospital in serious condition before being pronounced dead hours later.
A Prolific Career Remembered
Over a career spanning decades, O’Hara became one of entertainment’s most versatile and celebrated talents. She achieved iconic status playing Macaulay Culkin’s exasperated mother in the blockbuster “Home Alone” films and earned widespread critical acclaim for her eccentric performance as Moira Rose, which garnered her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 and a Golden Globe in 2021.
Her extensive filmography includes appearances in “Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and numerous other beloved Hollywood productions. Most recently, she earned an Emmy nomination for her supporting role in the Apple TV+ series “The Studio,” opposite Seth Rogen, showcasing her enduring talent and relevance in the industry.
Tributes and Legacy
Following news of her death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. Dan Levy, her co-star from “Schitt’s Creek,” shared an emotional Instagram post: “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years.”
The cast and crew of “The Studio” released a joint statement expressing their grief: “She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her. She was somehow classy, warm, and hilarious all at the same time.”
O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke.
