Catherine O’Hara – Cause of Death, Biography and Lasting Legacy

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved Canadian-American actress who brought to life the forgetful mother in Home Alone and the eccentric matriarch Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her death certificate, released by Los Angeles County on February 9, 2026, listed a pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause, with rectal cancer identified as the underlying contributing factor.

O’Hara passed away at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, after being hospitalized in serious condition. The news, confirmed by her family and reported by multiple outlets, prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues who celebrated her five-decade career in comedy and film.

Born in Toronto, she rose from the stages of the Second City comedy troupe to become one of the most versatile and respected performers of her generation, winning Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and the Order of Canada.

What Was Catherine O’Hara’s Cause of Death?

• O’Hara’s death certificate was released by Los Angeles County on February 9, 2026, confirming the specific medical details.
• The immediate cause was a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that obstructs an artery in the lungs.
• Rectal cancer, which she had been fighting for months, was listed as the underlying contributing factor.
• She was hospitalized at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, prior to her death