Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death revealed after tributes pour in

Catherine O’Hara, the award-winning Canadian actor celebrated for her work in Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone, died from a pulmonary embolism, according to a US death certificate. She was 71.

The document listed a blood clot in her lungs as the immediate cause of death, with rectal cancer cited as the underlying condition. It also indicated that O’Hara had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025.

O’Hara died on January 30 in a Los Angeles hospital after first responders were called to her home in the Brentwood area earlier that morning. She was taken to hospital in serious condition and pronounced dead several hours later, US media reported.

Her representatives described her as a “prolific, multi-award-winning actress, writer and comedian” and said she died following a brief illness.

Tributes poured in following the news of her death.

Actor and The Studio creator Seth Rogen said he was “devastated”, describing O’Hara as “hysterical, kind, intuitive and generous”, and adding that the world was “lucky” to have had her.

Schitt’s Creek co-creator Eugene Levy said he had the “honour of knowing and working with her for over fifty years”, adding that words felt “inadequate” to express his loss.

O’Hara starred in six seasons of Schitt’s Creek, winning an Emmy Award for best comedy actress for her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose.

Her film credits included Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, while her later television work earned further Emmy nominations for performances in The Last of Us and The Studio.

What is a pulmonary embolism?

A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. The clot often forms in the leg, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, before travelling to the lungs through the bloodstream.

Risk factors include cancer, recent surgery, prolonged immobility, certain medications and underlying health conditions. Symptoms can include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens when breathing, a rapid heartbeat and coughing up blood.

Medical experts say pulmonary embolisms can be fatal if not treated quickly, but survival rates are high when the condition is diagnosed early and treated with blood-thinning medication or other interventions.

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