- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Catherine O'Hara Died From Pulmonary Embolism, Cancer Was Underlying Cause
The beloved Canadian-American actress and "Schitt's Creek" star passed away at age 71 in January 2026.
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
According to a Los Angeles County death certificate, actress Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying long-term cause. The certificate indicates O'Hara had been receiving treatment from an oncologist since March 2025 and was last seen by the doctor on January 27, 2026, just days before her death at a hospital in Santa Monica, California on January 30, 2026 at the age of 71.
Why it matters
O'Hara was a beloved and acclaimed comedic actress, known for her roles in films like the "Home Alone" movies and the hit TV series "Schitt's Creek," for which she won an Emmy. Her unexpected death at a relatively young age was a surprise to many of her fans and collaborators.
The details
The death certificate lists pulmonary embolism, a blockage of an artery in the lungs caused by a blood clot, as the immediate cause of O'Hara's death. Rectal cancer was cited as the underlying long-term cause. The document indicates O'Hara had been receiving treatment from an oncologist since March 2025 and was last seen by the doctor on January 27, 2026, just days before her passing.
- Catherine O'Hara died on January 30, 2026 at the age of 71.
- O'Hara had been receiving treatment from an oncologist since March 2025.
- O'Hara was last seen by her oncologist on January 27, 2026.
The players
Catherine O'Hara
A beloved Canadian-American actress known for her roles in films like the "Home Alone" movies and the hit TV series "Schitt's Creek," for which she won an Emmy.
Macaulay Culkin
O'Hara's co-star in the "Home Alone" films, where she played his mother.
The takeaway
The unexpected death of the acclaimed comedic actress Catherine O'Hara at the age of 71 has left many of her fans and collaborators saddened, as she was known for her iconic roles in beloved films and TV shows. Her passing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the talents and contributions of those who bring joy and laughter to the world.
