In brief
Catherine O'Hara, the award-winning actress known for roles in 'Schitt's Creek' and 'Home Alone', died on January 30 at age 71. The cause of death was confirmed to be a pulmonary embolism resulting from a blood clot, and she had been battling rectal cancer since March 2025. Condolences from peers highlight her exceptional talent and the impact she had on many.
Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, as her death certificate has revealed. She passed away on January 30 in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 71. In addition to the blood clot in her lungs, the death certificate listed rectal cancer as a long-term cause of death, indicating she had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025.
Tributes have poured in for the Canadian actress, who most recently appeared in the Emmy-winning comedy The Studio and the hit series The Last of Us.
O'Hara Remembered
Seth Rogen, the creator of The Studio, expressed his devastation at O'Hara's passing, recalling her as hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous. He emphasized that everyone was fortunate to have her in the world.
Pedro Pascal, who worked alongside O'Hara in The Last of Us, shared his gratitude on Instagram, stating that there is now less light in the world without her.
O'Hara was well-loved for her role in Schitt's Creek, where she won an Emmy for Best Comedy Actress and featured in six seasons of the show.
Tributes flooded in from many of her colleagues, illustrating the deep impact she had on their lives and careers. Eugene Levy said that he had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O'Hara for over fifty years, expressing his feelings of loss at her passing. Dan Levy referred to her as family and cherished their close bond.
Macaulay Culkin, known for playing her son in the Home Alone films, poignantly expressed his heartbreak and desire for more time with her.
O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.
Understanding Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition caused by a blockage in a blood vessel of the lungs. Symptoms include sudden difficulty in breathing, chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, and coughing up blood.
