Cause of Death Confirmed
Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara passed away due to a pulmonary embolism, according to her death certificate.
O'Hara died on 30 January at a hospital in Santa Monica at the age of 71. The death certificate also cited rectal cancer as a long-term contributing factor to her death.
It was noted that she had been undergoing treatment for rectal cancer since March 2025.
Tributes from Colleagues and Friends
Following the news of her passing, numerous tributes have been shared in honor of the actress, who recently appeared in the Emmy-winning comedy series The Studio and HBO's The Last of Us.
Seth Rogan, actor and creator of The Studio, expressed his sorrow, describing O'Hara as:
"hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous"
He added:
"We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it."
Pedro Pascal, who worked alongside O'Hara on The Last of Us, posted on Instagram:
"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."
Legacy in Television and Film
O'Hara was well-known for her role in six seasons of the comedy series Schitt's Creek, for which she won an Emmy Award for Best Comedy Actress.
Eugene Levy, the show's creator and co-star, shared with People magazine:
"I have had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O'Hara for over fifty years."
"Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today."
Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt's Creek and O'Hara's on-screen son David, described her as:
"family before she ever played my family"
He further stated on Instagram:
"I would cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her."
Macaulay Culkin, who portrayed O'Hara's on-screen son in the holiday films Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, also paid tribute on Instagram:
"Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you,"
"I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later."
Survivors
Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, her sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.
