Beloved Star Catherine O’Hara’s Cause of Death Revealed
US media outlets have reported that the cause of death for acclaimed Canadian-born actress Catherine O’Hara, a beloved star of the hit television series Schitt’s Creek, was a pulmonary embolism. This information emerged following the release of her death certificate by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The certificate indicates that the 71-year-old actress passed away at her Los Angeles home on Friday, January 30th, following a brief illness. While the initial announcement from her agency, CAA, cited a brief illness without further detail, the official documentation has now shed more light on the circumstances.
A pulmonary embolism, a condition where a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel in the lungs, was cited as the immediate cause of death. The death certificate also revealed that the underlying cause was rectal cancer.
O’Hara’s career, which spanned several decades, began in the vibrant improvisational comedy scene of Toronto in the 1970s. It was here that she first crossed paths with Eugene Levy, a collaborator with whom she would share a remarkable professional partnership for years to come, most notably on Schitt’s Creek.
Both O’Hara and Levy were integral to the original cast of Second City Television (SCTV), a groundbreaking sketch comedy show that launched the careers of numerous comedic legends. This esteemed group included Martin Short, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, and Joe Flaherty, cementing SCTV’s legacy as a powerhouse of Canadian comedy.
Reflecting on her comedic influences in a 2020 interview, O’Hara noted the different landscape of her formative years compared to the present day. “I grew up in a different time than now. The internet didn’t exist, so from my experience we were very much influenced by comedy like Monty Python and comedies that came out of England, Ireland, Scotland, the UK, than by what came out of the US,” she explained.
She further elaborated on the Canadian sensibility that shaped her humour: “We didn’t, in my experience, have such a strong sense of nationalism. Our sense of humour was not only to be able to make fun of the rest of the world but to make fun of ourselves, which, I think, is the healthiest sense of humour you can have. It’s lovely. I hope we keep our proud Canadian modesty.”
The creation of Schitt’s Creek by Eugene Levy and his son Dan provided a narrative about a wealthy family forced to relocate to a small town. The series achieved immense critical acclaim, culminating in a dominant performance at the Emmy Awards during its sixth and final season. For O’Hara, the show marked a significant career resurgence, introducing her to a new generation of fans and placing her firmly at the centre of cultural discourse.
This renaissance also led to notable dramatic roles, including a compelling turn in HBO’s The Last of Us and a role as a straitlaced Hollywood producer in The Studio, both of which garnered her Emmy nominations.
Interestingly, O’Hara initially hesitated to accept the role in Schitt’s Creek. Her background as a sketch actor made her apprehensive about committing to a potentially long-running character. “Thank god I did say yes,” she recounted. “I’ve done movies but that’s three months’ work at the most. I think it was more fear-based – the concept of committing to one character.”
Beyond her iconic role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek, Catherine O’Hara leaves behind a rich legacy of memorable performances in a variety of beloved films. These include her unforgettable portrayal of Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, the role of Kate McCallister in the Home Alone franchise, Marilyn Hack in Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration, and Cookie Fleck in Best in Show.
Looking back on her career, O’Hara expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the impact her work has had on audiences. “I feel fortunate that anybody knows me as anything, that I’m in people’s lives somehow, their childhoods,” she shared. “That’s the best, to be part of holiday ritual of watching Home Alone or Nightmare Before Christmas, or I just feel honestly, really fortunate.”
Catherine O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. Her contributions to comedy and film have left an indelible mark, ensuring her place as a cherished figure in entertainment history.
