:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/catherine-ohara-013026-7-4b5b413a646d4f15a1fd15ac8b933811.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Catherine O’Hara was being treated for cancer when she died of a pulmonary embolism, death certificate says")
Catherine O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause.
A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, as the immediate cause of the actor’s January 30 death at age 71. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause.
The oncologist who signed off on the certificate indicated that he had been treating O’Hara since March of last year, and last saw her on January 27. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.
The beloved Canadian-born comic actor and “SCTV” alum starred as Macaulay Culkin’s mother in two “Home Alone” movies and won an Emmy as the dramatically oblivious wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek.”
Her death was a surprise to most, and an initial statement from her representatives said only that she died “following a brief illness.”
Collaborators including Culkin, Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy and Pedro Pascal paid her loving tribute after her death.
The document said she was cremated. It lists her profession as “actress” and her business as movies. It said she practiced her trade for 50 years.
Catherine O’Hara’s Death Reveals Private Cancer Battle
The Emmy-winning star’s cause of death was confirmed as a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause, as tributes from Hollywood and beyond celebrate her remarkable legacy.
Key Points
The world lost a comedic giant on January 30, 2026, when Catherine O’Hara, the beloved Canadian-born actress and Emmy-winning star of stage and screen, died at age 71. The cause of her death, which had been a subject of speculation and sorrow among fans and peers alike, was formally revealed this week with the release of her Los Angeles County death certificate. According to reports from The Associated Press, Rolling Stone, and TMZ, O’Hara’s immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism—a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lungs. The document also listed rectal cancer as the underlying, long-term cause, shining a light on a private battle that O’Hara had kept largely out of the public eye.
O’Hara had been under the care of an oncologist since March 2025, and her last medical visit was just three days before her death. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, after what her representatives initially described as “a brief illness,” as reported by PEOPLE and KTLA. The news came as a shock to fans, many of whom were unaware of her cancer diagnosis. The death certificate, issued on February 9, 2026, confirmed that she was cremated, with her ashes entrusted to her husband, production designer Robert “Bo” Welch. The family’s cottage in the Muskoka Lakes region of Ontario, Canada, was listed as the final place of disposition.
For those unfamiliar, a pulmonary embolism is a sudden and often fatal blockage in a lung artery, typically caused when a blood clot travels from the leg or pelvis to the lungs. The Cleveland Clinic notes that about one-third of people with a pulmonary embolism die before receiving a diagnosis or treatment, though the condition is seldom fatal if caught in time. In O’Hara’s case, rectal cancer—an aggressive disease that starts in the lining of the rectum—was the root cause. According to the American Cancer Society, rectal cancer accounts for around 30% of new colorectal cancer cases in the U.S., and requires intensive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Colorectal cancer is one of the most deadly cancers in the country, causing tens of thousands of deaths each year.
O’Hara’s health history was unique in another respect as well. In a 2020 interview, she revealed that she had been born with situs inversus, a rare genetic condition in which the organs are mirrored from their usual positions. Her heart, for instance, was on the right side of her chest instead of the left. While situs inversus is usually harmless, it can sometimes be associated with other complications. O’Hara discovered this anatomical quirk as an adult when a doctor performed a routine EKG, she told TODAY. “My organs were flipped,” she explained, adding a touch of humor to a typically clinical subject.
Despite these challenges, O’Hara’s career was nothing short of dazzling. Raised as the sixth of seven children in Toronto, Ontario, she grew up in a household where humor was “demanded more than encouraged,” as she told TODAY’s Willie Geist. She first found her comedic footing with Toronto’s Second City troupe, which led to her breakout role on the legendary sketch comedy series SCTV. From there, O’Hara became a fixture in both television and film, starring in a string of hits that showcased her remarkable range.
Audiences around the world remember O’Hara for her iconic roles: the frantic but loving mother in the first two Home Alone movies; the eccentric stepmother in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice; and a slew of unforgettable characters in Christopher Guest’s ensemble comedies, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. Her performance as Moira Rose, the dramatically oblivious matriarch in Schitt’s Creek, earned her widespread acclaim and an Emmy Award, cementing her status as a comedic legend.
O’Hara’s talent was recognized not just by audiences, but also by her peers. In addition to her Emmy, she garnered multiple award nominations, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Golden Globe. Just last year, she received Emmy nods for her work on The Studio and The Last of Us, proving that her creative spark never dimmed, even in her final years.
The news of her passing sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from collaborators and admirers alike. Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in Home Alone, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.” Eugene Levy, her longtime friend and creative partner from SCTV and Schitt’s Creek, expressed his deep affection and gratitude for their years of collaboration. His son, Dan Levy, who co-created and starred in Schitt’s Creek, wrote, “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”
Other tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Michael Keaton, her co-star in Beetlejuice and The Paper, described her as both a “pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend,” adding, “This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.” Seth Rogen, with whom she worked on The Studio, called her “hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it.” Filmmakers like Chris Columbus, Tim Burton, and Martin Scorsese, as well as actors Annie Murphy, Justin Theroux, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, all shared their admiration and sadness at her passing.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, her sons Matthew and Luke, and a large extended family, including siblings Michael O’Hara, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O’Hara, Tom O’Hara, and Patricia Wallace. Her legacy, however, extends far beyond her family tree. Through her fearless performances, quick wit, and boundless generosity, O’Hara brought laughter and joy to millions—and left an indelible mark on the world of comedy.
As tributes continue to pour in and fans revisit her decades of work, it’s clear that Catherine O’Hara’s spirit will endure—on screen, in memory, and in the hearts of those who loved her best.
