The cause of death for actor Catherine O’Hara has been revealed.
Sources confirmed to NBC4 Investigates in Los Angeles that pulmonary embolism was the immediate cause, with rectal cancer as the sequential cause of death.
O’Hara, known for her iconic roles in “Schitt’s Creek,” “Home Alone,” “Beetlejuice,” and a decades‑long career in comedy and film, died at age 71 in her Los Angeles home in January. She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew, 32, and Luke, 28.
News of her death stunned fans and colleagues alike, prompting an outpouring of tributes celebrating her warmth, talent, and unmistakable on-screen presence.
Authorities confirmed that O’Hara was found unresponsive inside her LA residence, where she was later pronounced dead.
Although O’Hara never mentioned any specific health issues before her death, she had previously disclosed that she had a rare congenital condition known as dextrocardia with situs inversus.
During a 2020 appearance on winemaker Kathryn Hall’s Virtual Happy Hour, O’Hara spoke openly about living with situs inversus, a condition in which several organs are positioned on the opposite side of the body from where they are typically located.
She joked about it during the interview, laughing as she said, “I’m a freak… I don’t even know the name because I don’t want to know the name.”
O’Hara always seemed more interested in savoring the present and looking ahead than dwelling on the past, a mindset reflected in her work as she focused on making people smile and laugh through her comedy and quick‑witted humor.
In an interview with Elle Canada for its September 2024 issue, the Toronto native reflected on aging, saying, “I do think of age, but otherwise, I rarely look in the mirror. I feel that now, stories about people my age usually have to do with death and divorce and disease. So I’m really fortunate to have people around me who respect aging people and who give me new experiences.”
As the industry reflects on her extraordinary legacy, the details surrounding her final days add a somber note to the celebration of a career that shaped generations of comedy and storytelling. Her legacy, however, remains timeless.
