Catherine O'Hara's Death: A Look at the Confirmed Cause and Tributes

Sun Mar 15 2026 10:24:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After the passing of beloved actress Catherine O'Hara, her death certificate reveals she succumbed to a pulmonary embolism, linked to a long-term battle with rectal cancer. The entertainment world remembers her impactful contributions.

Catherine O'Hara, the acclaimed Canadian actress known for her roles in 'Schitt's Creek' and 'Home Alone,' passed away at the age of 71. Her death certificate confirmed a pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause, occurring in conjunction with rectal cancer which she had been diagnosed with in March 2025. Tributes from fellow actors and creators reflect on her kindness and talent, highlighting her impact on the industry.

Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate in the US revealed.

O'Hara died on 30 January 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 the long-term cause of death. 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 Last of Us.'

O'Hara Remembered

Actor and 'The Studio' creator Seth Rogen lamented O'Hara's passing, calling her hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous. He expressed gratitude for her presence in the world.

Pedro Pascal, who worked with O'Hara on 'The Last of Us,' shared his appreciation on Instagram, saying, Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world; this lucky world that had you will keep you, always. O'Hara was renowned for her role in 'Schitt's Creek,' where she won an Emmy for best comedy actress.

Eugene Levy, her co-star and collaborator for over fifty years, expressed his deep sorrow, stating that words felt inadequate to convey his loss. Similarly, Dan Levy, O'Hara's on-screen son, described her as family before she ever played my family and promised to cherish the memories they shared.

Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son in the holiday classics 'Home Alone' and 'Home Alone 2,' also offered an emotional tribute, reminiscing about their time together and expressing his love for her.

O'Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, their sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.

What is a Pulmonary Embolism?

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel in the lungs gets blocked by a blood clot. It is considered a life-threatening condition and symptoms include sudden difficulty breathing and chest pain that worsens with breathing.