Cause of Death for Comedy Legend Catherine O'Hara Revealed

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The death certificate for beloved actress Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in January at the age of 71, has revealed that her cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as an underlying condition. O'Hara had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025 and was last seen by her oncologist just days before her death at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.

Why it matters

O'Hara's death has saddened fans of the iconic comedic actress, known for her roles in films like Home Alone and Schitt's Creek. Her passing also sheds light on the serious health issues she had been privately battling, including a rare genetic condition called situs inversus that caused her heart to be positioned on the opposite side of her chest.

The details

According to the death certificate, O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the lungs. Rectal cancer, which she had been receiving treatment for since March 2025, was listed as an underlying cause of the embolism. Her oncologist, who had been treating her, last saw O'Hara on January 27, just days before her death at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.

• O'Hara was first diagnosed with rectal cancer in March 2025.
• She last saw her oncologist on January 27, 2026.
• O'Hara passed away in January 2026 at the age of 71.

What’s next

The details surrounding O'Hara's death and her private health battles are still emerging, and her fans and the entertainment community continue to mourn the loss of this iconic comedic talent.