Catherine O’Hara’s Cause of Death Revealed

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More details surrounding the death of Catherine O’Hara have come to light.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, as reported by TMZ, the cause of death for the Schitt’s Creek star, who passed away at age 71, was a pulmonary embolism. She had been battling rectal cancer, which was a contributing factor.

Her agency announced to TopMob that she passed away in Los Angeles on January 30th after a short illness.

Just under three weeks before she died, actress McCallister was missing from the 2026 Golden Globes, where she’d been nominated for her supporting role in The Studio alongside Seth Rogen. Her last public event had been the 2025 Emmy Awards in September, where she received two nominations for The Studio and The Last of Us.

Catherine, the mother of Matthew Welch, 32, and Luke Welch, 28, and wife of Bo Welch, had a rare heart condition before her passing. Called cardiac inversus, or dextrocardia with situs inversus, it meant her heart and other organs were located on the opposite side of the body from where they are usually found. While unusual, this condition is typically not life-threatening.

She jokingly referred to herself as ‘a freak’ in a 2021 interview, explaining she discovered her condition later in life because she avoided going to the doctor. While she appreciates modern medicine, she prefers to stay outside of the healthcare system.

She often thought about how thankful she was to be enjoying life, and told Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the Wiser Than Me podcast in 2024 that simply being alive was the best part of turning seventy.

Indeed, that embrace of life was a sentiment Catherine echoed often. 

You know, I don’t dwell on age itself, and honestly, I avoid looking in the mirror most of the time! I’ve noticed that so much of the conversation around people my age focuses on difficult things like illness, divorce, or even… well, the end of life. I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who truly value getting older and who constantly introduce me to new and exciting things. It’s a wonderful feeling to be supported and encouraged to embrace every stage of life.

Catherine wasn’t afraid of death, and she had a surprisingly sweet and funny idea of how she’d like it to happen.

I remember back in 2013, telling Vanity Fair about one of my favorite moments – being surrounded by my grandkids, all of them playfully urging me to relax and ‘let go!’ It was such a sweet reminder to enjoy life and not hold on too tight.

Read on to see all the stars who paid tribute to Catherine after her death. 

It was a true joy to work alongside Catherine O’Hara for so many years and witness her incredible talent. After more than fifty years of collaborating with my father, Catherine felt like family even before she played one on screen. It’s hard to believe she’s gone, and I’ll always treasure the hilarious moments we shared. My deepest sympathies go out to Bo, Matthew, Luke, and all of her wonderful family.

This goes all the way back to before the first Beetlejuice movie. She’s been like a wife, a rival, and a genuinely wonderful friend to me. This is really difficult. I’m going to miss her so much. I’m also thinking of Beau.

Mom, I didn’t realize time was so short. I still had so much I wanted to tell you, so many moments I wanted to share, like just sitting with you. I love you, and I’ll see you again soon.

I’m truly at a loss for words. I told O’Hara when we first met that I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever seen perform. Home Alone actually inspired me to become a filmmaker, so working with her was a real honor. She was hilarious, incredibly kind, perceptive, and generous – she pushed me to make our show as good as it deserved to be with her on it. This is just heartbreaking. We were all so fortunate to have her in our lives.

“Catherine, I love you… You were a special part of my life and after life.”

I’m absolutely devastated by the loss of Catherine O’Hara. She was a truly unique and brilliant talent, and her death feels incredibly heavy – it’s hard to express just how much she’ll be missed.

She was more than just a famous artist, actor, and comedian. She truly represented the best of Canada – incredibly talented, brave, uniquely herself, and deeply compassionate. She not only brought joy to the world, but also helped people feel understood.

As an artist, she had a profound impact on me. She showed me what it means to represent your country with both skill and kindness, always remaining down-to-earth and approachable.

I’m deeply saddened for her family, friends, and all who loved her, here in Canada and everywhere else.

It’s okay to feel sad about this loss, and please know that you’re not going through it by yourself. We’re all sharing in this grief. Rest peacefully, Catherine, and thank you for all you did.

I’m so thankful I had the chance to tell her how much she meant to me – she truly inspired me, influenced my sense of humor, and helped me understand our work. I always thought of her as the absolute best. I’m sure many actors told her similar things, but she never seemed to tire of hearing it. She listened with grace, kindness, and a wonderful sense of humor. I want to thank Jason Reitman for letting me participate in the Film Independent LACMA reading where I got to work with and witness the genius of my hero firsthand. Being around her and watching her work was incredible, and I’ll cherish those moments forever. Both that day and on the set of Away We Go, she was incredibly kind to everyone, from the director to the production assistants. She truly lit up a room – she was radiant, almost otherworldly. Her talent was unique; there’s never been anyone like her, and there never will be. She was a genius and a beautiful person.

Catherine was an extraordinary person – kind, honest, intelligent, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was incredibly beautiful, both inside and out, and possessed a remarkable spirit. Her work showed her deep love for people, and she was uniquely treasured for her integrity, clear thinking, and wisdom. It feels like all those who inspired her are now eagerly learning from her. We are heartbroken by her loss and will miss her dearly, especially in these times. Rest peacefully, dear friend.

Catherine O’Hara was a genuinely kind and honest person, both in her work and in her personal life. Her authenticity touched everyone who knew her, and her love extended to her family, Bo, Luke, and Matthew. We offer our heartfelt condolences and hope she finds eternal peace. May her memory live on.

“Catherine O’Hara. The absolute greatest. Only 71. An angel. The funniest. This is shocking.”

Being near you was a gift, and I’m endlessly thankful. The world feels a little dimmer now that you’re gone, but this fortunate world will always remember you. Forever and always, you were one of a kind. #CatherineOHara

I honestly never imagined I’d have the chance to work with Catherine O’Hara, and even more surprisingly, become her friend. I’m deeply saddened by her passing, but so thankful for the time we shared. Thank you, Catherine. I’ll always love you.

“Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.”

“She was an all-timer. Her memory and work is a blessing. Rest peacefully.”

I’m still reeling, honestly. It just doesn’t seem real that she’s gone. It’s hard to understand why things like this happen, why the world can be so incredibly painful. She was so vibrant, just at the best point in her life, and the thought of saying goodbye feels impossible. Goodbye to a true icon. Thank you for all the joy you brought into our lives, for making us laugh until our sides ached… and that’s why this hurts so much, knowing those moments are over. Rest in peace. My heart goes out to her family during this incredibly difficult time.

Catherine O’Hara was a wonderfully funny performer. She was loved by so many, and it’s easy to see why.

This news is devastating. She was a truly wonderful person, a gifted artist, and a joy to work with. I feel so fortunate to have directed, produced, and acted alongside her – she just kept getting better and better. My deepest sympathies go to Bo and her family.

“Absolutely heartbreaking. She was the kindest person in our business.”

Francesca was speechless after seeing her dad’s reaction on FaceTime, sharing a photo and saying she was completely heartbroken and in disbelief.

It’s a huge loss. She was incredibly talented, graceful, and genuine – a natural performer who brought so much happiness to everyone. She’ll be sorely missed and served as a true inspiration to anyone who admired comedy, delivering a perfect performance every time she appeared on camera.

Catherine O’Hara, a cherished Canadian comedian and actress, brought laughter to audiences of all ages. From her early work on SCTV and in films like Home Alone, to her iconic portrayal of Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, she had a special talent for both comedy and heartfelt performances. She also played a key role in sharing Canadian stories with the world. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all who enjoyed her incredible work.

“BEST OF THE BEST IN SHOW!”

“Legend.”

“Ugggg legend. No one funnier.”

“Nooo my most profound condolences.”

She was truly inspiring. Her comedy brought a sense of joy and warmth to everyone who watched her perform. May she rest in peace.

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2026-02-09 22:48