Comedy Icon Catherine O’Hara’s Cause Of Death Revealed After Private Cancer Battle

The entertainment world is mourning a massive loss as the official cause of death for legendary actress Catherine O’Hara has been confirmed. The Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone star passed away on Friday, Jan. 30, at the age of 71. While her representative initially stated she died following a “brief illness,” new documents have provided clarity on the health struggles the comedy queen faced in private.

On Monday, Feb. 9, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that O’Hara’s death was the result of a pulmonary embolism. According to the death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, the underlying cause contributing to the fatal embolism was rectal cancer. The documents further noted that the beloved actress has since been cremated.

O’Hara’s ability to keep her diagnosis out of the spotlight was a testament to her private nature, even as she continued to work on high-profile projects. Her passing marks the end of a career that spanned over five decades, beginning at Toronto’s Second City Theater and evolving into a global legacy of wit, warmth, and unparalleled character acting.

O’Hara’s impact on comedy cannot be overstated. From her iconic role as Kate McCallister in Home Alone to her frequent collaborations with Christopher Guest in mockumentaries like Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, she redefined the “gifted queen of the bittersweet.” However, it was her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek that introduced her to a new generation and earned her a historic sweep of the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards.

In her 2020 Emmy acceptance speech, she expressed her deep appreciation for the role, stating: “I will forever be grateful to Eugene and Daniel Levy for the opportunity to play a woman of a certain age, my age, who gets to fully be herself.” Her chemistry with Eugene Levy was a cornerstone of her career. Reflecting on their decades-long partnership, she once told PEOPLE: “I would love to think we continue to challenge each other, like a good married couple would do.”

Beyond the screen, O’Hara was a devoted wife to production designer Bo Welch and a mother to their two sons. Even in her final years, she remained a force in the industry, appearing in Argylle and the second season of The Last of Us. While she may be gone, her “bebe” fans and colleagues will forever cherish the vocabulary and vibrance she brought to the world.