Fans around the world are mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara after officials confirmed what the beloved star had been privately facing behind the scenes.
The Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone legend died on Jan. 30 at age 71, with her rep initially saying only that she passed after a “brief illness.” Now, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revealed she died from a pulmonary embolism caused by underlying rectal cancer, according to her death certificate. She was later cremated.
TMZ first reported the cause of death update, which brings new clarity to the sudden loss of one of comedy’s most treasured talents.
O’Hara’s rise began in Toronto, where she was the second youngest of seven siblings and worked her way into comedy after a stint waitressing at the Second City Theater. She became a breakout performer in Christopher Guest’s beloved mockumentaries, appearing in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind alongside longtime collaborator Eugene Levy.
Her partnership with the Levy family would come full circle decades later with the award-sweeping hit Schitt’s Creek. As Moira Rose, O’Hara delivered one of television’s most unforgettable characters, earning an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for the role. She once described her creative bond with Eugene Levy as similar to a long marriage, saying they continuously inspired and challenged each other.
Beyond her iconic comedy work, O’Hara left her mark across television and film with roles in Six Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, and Temple Grandin. She also became a fan favorite in animation, lending her voice to Frankenweenie, The Addams Family, Elemental, and more. In 2024, she appeared in both Argylle and season two of The Last of Us.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons.
Her death marks the end of a remarkable career that shaped generations of comedy lovers — but her legacy, characters, and unmistakable wit will continue to live on.
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