Beloved actress and comedy icon Catherine O’Hara, known for her memorable performances in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her death certificate, released by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, has now confirmed the cause of death as a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer cited as the underlying condition.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, cutting off blood flow and rapidly becoming life-threatening. According to the document, O’Hara had been treated by her oncologist since March of last year and was last seen by her doctor just days before her passing at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.
The Canadian-born performer enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades, from her early days at Toronto’s Second City comedy group to global recognition on television and in film. She won widespread acclaim for her role as the eccentric Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, earning an Emmy Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award. She also delighted audiences as Kevin McCallister’s mother in the Home Alone films and brought her comedic talent to a range of Christopher Guest mockumentary films and voice roles in animated projects.
News of the cause of her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues alike. Macaulay Culkin, her Home Alone co-star, referred to her affectionately as “Mama” in heartfelt posts on social media. Peers from across Hollywood recalled her warmth, versatility, and singular comedic voice that influenced generations of performers.
While her passing was initially described by representatives as following a “brief illness,” the release of the death certificate brings clarity to the circumstances surrounding the loss of a cherished talent whose work brought laughter and humanity to millions.
