Catherine O’Hara, a beloved Hollywood star, has passed away at the age of 71. Her cause of death has been officially confirmed following her death on January 30. Known for her iconic roles in Schitt’s Creek and the Home Alone films, her passing has left a deep impact on the entertainment industry and her devoted fans.
O’Hara made her final public appearance at the 2025 Emmys in September, where she was seen walking the red carpet with a warm smile. Her most recent work included a starring role opposite Seth Rogen in the Apple TV+ series The Studio, for which she received an Emmy nomination. This marked another highlight in her long and successful career.
According to her death certificate, obtained by TMZ, O’Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The underlying cause of her death was rectal cancer. She was cremated, and her family arranged a private celebration of her life.
On the day her death was announced, a spokesperson for the Beetlejuice star confirmed that she had passed away at her home in Los Angeles. They described her illness as brief and mentioned that a private ceremony would be held for her family. O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, a production designer, whom she married in 1992, and their two adult children, Luke and Matthew Welch. She also leaves behind six siblings: Michael, Mary Margaret, Maureen, Marcus, Tom, and Patricia.
Her legacy extends far beyond her professional achievements. As news of her passing spread, A-list celebrities flooded social media with heartfelt tributes. Among them was Macaulay Culkin, who rose to fame in Home Alone and its sequel. O’Hara played his on-screen mother, Kate, and they maintained a close relationship throughout his life. Culkin took to Instagram to express his grief, writing: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”
Dan Levy and his father, Eugene, also shared their sadness. Dan, who portrayed David Rose, O’Hara’s on-screen son in Schitt’s Creek, called it “a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years.” He added, “Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”
Eugene, who played Johnny, the husband of Moira Rose, said in a statement: “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honour of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over 50 years… I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her.”
At the 2026 Directors Guild of America Awards, Rogen spoke publicly about working with O’Hara as he accepted the outstanding directorial achievement in a comedy series trophy. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “Honestly, there’s no one we wish we could thank in person at this moment more than we would love to thank Catherine O’Hara.” Rogen praised her as “an utter genius” and “the nicest person in the entire world.”
O’Hara played Patty Leigh in The Studio, a former studio head and mentor to Matt, played by Rogen. Her other notable roles include Heartburn (1986), where she co-starred with Meryl Streep. After O’Hara’s death, Streep said, “She brought love and light to our world through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.” Streep added, “Such a loss for her family and friends and the audience she graced as friends.”
O’Hara also appeared in the second season of The Last of Us, where she was honored by Pedro Pascal, who wrote: “Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always.”
With a career spanning five decades, O’Hara left an indelible mark on television and film. She reprised her role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, starred in Best in Show (2000) and A Mighty Wind (2003), and was highly decorated, with two Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe among her many accolades.
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