Catherine O'Hara's Cause of Death Revealed

Pulmonary embolism was immediate cause, with cancer as underlying factor

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Beloved actress Catherine O'Hara, known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek," and "Beetlejuice," died on January 30 at the age of 71. According to a Los Angeles County death certificate, the immediate cause of her death was a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the long-term underlying cause. O'Hara's collaborators and co-stars, including Macaulay Culkin, Michael Keaton, and Seth Rogen, paid loving tribute to the acclaimed comedic actor following her passing.

Why it matters

O'Hara's death came as a surprise to many of her fans, as her representatives had initially only stated that she died "following a brief illness." The revelation of the specific medical causes behind her passing provides more clarity and context around the circumstances of her untimely demise at the age of 71.

The details

The death certificate indicates that O'Hara had been under the care of an oncologist who had been treating her for rectal cancer since March of the previous year. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California on January 30. The document also states that she was cremated following her death.

  • O'Hara died on January 30, 2026 at the age of 71.
  • She had been under the care of an oncologist who had been treating her for rectal cancer since March of the previous year.
  • O'Hara last saw her oncologist on January 27, 2026, just three days before her death.

The players

Catherine O'Hara

A beloved Canadian-born comic actor and "SCTV" alum known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek," and "Beetlejuice."

Macaulay Culkin

O'Hara's co-star in the "Home Alone" movies, where she played his mother.

Michael Keaton

O'Hara's co-star in the films "Beetlejuice" and "The Paper."

Seth Rogen

O'Hara recently worked with on the Apple TV series "The Studio."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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.”

— Macaulay Culkin (Instagram)

“She's been my pretend wife, my pretend nemesis and my real life, true friend. This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her.”

— Michael Keaton (Instagram)

“She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous... she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”

— Seth Rogen (Instagram)

The takeaway

Catherine O'Hara's passing at the age of 71 has left a void in the entertainment industry, as evidenced by the outpouring of heartfelt tributes from her co-stars and collaborators. Her legacy as a beloved comedic actor who brought joy and laughter to audiences through iconic roles will undoubtedly continue to be celebrated and remembered.