Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate in the US has revealed.
O'Hara died on January 30 in a Los Angeles hospital, at the age of 71. In addition to the blood clot in her lungs, the death certificate listed rectal cancer as the long-term cause of death.
It was indicated that she had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025.
Tributes have poured in for the Canadian actress, who most recently appeared in the Emmy-winning comedy The Studio and The Last of Us.
O'Hara remembered
Actor and The Studio creator Seth Rogen expressed his devastation over O'Hara's death, calling her hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous. He stated, We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.
Pedro Pascal, who worked with O'Hara on The Last of Us, shared on Instagram, 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. O'Hara starred in six seasons of the comedy series Schitt's Creek, earning an Emmy for best comedy actress.
Show creator and co-star Eugene Levy mentioned, Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today, while co-creator Dan Levy described her as family before she ever played my family and promised to cherish their memories together.
O'Hara's on-screen son in the Home Alone films, Macaulay Culkin, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram: 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. O'Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, her sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
According to NHS, a pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood vessel in the lungs is blocked by a blood clot. Symptoms include a sudden difficulty in breathing, chest pain upon breathing, and coughing up blood.
