Catherine O’Hara Died From Pulmonary Embolism While Battling Cancer/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Catherine O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, according to her death certificate. The document lists rectal cancer as the underlying cause, for which she had been receiving treatment. The acclaimed actor died Jan. 30 at age 71, stunning fans and colleagues worldwide.
Catherine O’Hara Cause of Death – Quick Looks
- Pulmonary embolism listed as immediate cause of death
- Rectal cancer named as underlying condition
- O’Hara had been in cancer treatment since March 2025
- She died Jan. 30 at a hospital in Santa Monica
- Tributes poured in from longtime collaborators and co-stars
- Career spanned five decades in film and television
Deep Look
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Catherine O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism while undergoing treatment for cancer, according to a Los Angeles County death certificate released Monday.
The document lists a pulmonary embolism — a condition caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the lungs — as the immediate cause of death. Rectal cancer is cited as the underlying condition. O’Hara died on Jan. 30 at age 71 at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.
The death certificate was signed by O’Hara’s oncologist, who indicated he had been treating her since March of last year and last saw her just three days before her death. Her passing came as a shock to fans and colleagues alike, as her representatives initially said only that she died “following a brief illness.”
A Career That Defined Modern Comedy
Born in Canada, O’Hara rose to fame as a key member of the legendary sketch-comedy troupe SCTV, where her fearless characters and sharp improvisation helped define the show’s cult status.
She later became a Hollywood staple, memorably playing the frazzled mother of Kevin McCallister in the blockbuster Home Alone franchise, opposite Macaulay Culkin.
In recent years, O’Hara reached a new generation of fans with her Emmy-winning performance as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, portraying the extravagantly detached matriarch of a fallen wealthy family. Her performance earned widespread acclaim and cemented her status as one of television’s most distinctive comedic actors.
Tributes From Across Hollywood
Following news of her death, tributes poured in from collaborators and admirers across the entertainment industry, including Culkin, Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, and Pedro Pascal.
Many praised not only her comedic brilliance but also her generosity, humility, and ability to elevate every project she touched.
Final Arrangements
The death certificate lists O’Hara’s profession simply as “actress,” with her business described as movies. It notes she practiced her craft for 50 years — a span that reflects her enduring influence on film, television, and sketch comedy.
The document states that O’Hara was cremated.
Though her illness was largely kept private, the release of the certificate has provided clarity around her sudden death. Her legacy, however, remains firmly rooted in decades of performances that reshaped comedy and left an indelible mark on popular culture.
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