Catherine O’Hara’s death renews focus on rare condition she once discussed

The death of Catherine O’Hara at the age of 71 has prompted renewed attention on a rare congenital condition the actress had previously discussed publicly.

O’Hara, best known for her roles in Schitt’s Creek, Home Alone and Beetlejuice, died on January 30 after being hospitalised with what her representatives described as a brief illness. An official cause of death has not yet been announced.

A condition she spoke about openly

In a 2021 interview, O’Hara revealed that she had been diagnosed with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare congenital condition in which the heart and other major organs are positioned on the opposite side of the body.

According to medical experts, dextrocardia with situs inversus is uncommon and is often discovered incidentally during routine scans or unrelated medical tests. Many people with the condition experience no symptoms and live normal lifespans.

O’Hara learned about her diagnosis during a doctor’s appointment she attended with her husband, production designer Bo Welch. She later spoke about the discovery with humour, describing her anatomy as “mirrored” and joking about the surprise of the diagnosis.

What is dextrocardia with situs inversus?

Dextrocardia occurs when the heart is located on the right side of the chest rather than the left. When combined with situs inversus, the organs of the chest and abdomen are reversed from their usual positions.

Medical sources including the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine note that the condition is typically not dangerous on its own. However, it can complicate diagnosis in emergency situations, as symptoms may present on the opposite side of the body than expected.

Tributes pour in

Following news of O’Hara’s death, tributes flooded social media from colleagues and fans. Macaulay Culkin, who starred alongside her in Home Alone, shared a message reflecting on their relationship and expressing grief at her passing.

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O’Hara’s career spanned decades, earning her widespread acclaim for her comedic timing and emotional depth. She was nominated for multiple major awards throughout her career and remained active in film and television until recent years.

Remembering her legacy

While discussion around her medical condition has resurfaced following her death, medical professionals stress that dextrocardia with situs inversus is not typically life-threatening and should not be assumed to be linked to her passing.

O’Hara is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bo Welch, and their two sons.

An official cause of death has yet to be released.