Catherine O’Hara Privately Battled Cancer Before Death, Records Reveal

Catherine O’Hara died after suffering a pulmonary embolism, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which also reveal that the actress had been privately battling cancer. O’Hara was 71.

The death certificate lists her immediate cause of death as a pulmonary embolism, a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to an artery in the lungs. Rectal cancer is cited as an underlying condition. It is unclear how long O’Hara had been living with the illness, as she kept her diagnosis out of the public eye.

Following her death on Jan. 30, O’Hara’s representatives said only that she had died “after a brief illness,” declining to provide additional details. The newly released documentation offers the first confirmation that cancer played a role in her final months.

According to the certificate, O’Hara was cremated, with her ashes released to her husband, Robert “Bo” Welch. The place of final disposition is listed as the couple’s cottage in Ontario’s Muskoka Lakes region, a longtime personal retreat for the actress, who maintained close ties to Canada throughout her life and career.

O’Hara was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and versatile comic actresses of her generation, celebrated equally for her improvisational brilliance and her ability to ground broad comedy in emotional specificity. Born in Toronto in 1954, she emerged from the city’s chapter of the Second City comedy troupe, where she became a standout performer in the late 1970s. Her work on SCTV quickly established her as a singular comedic voice, capable of crafting indelible characters through a mix of sharp wit, physical comedy, and unexpected vulnerability.

From there, O’Hara built a film career that defied easy categorization. She appeared in mainstream comedies and cult classics alike, delivering memorable performances in films such as Beetlejuice, After Hours, and the Home Alone franchise, where her portrayal of the frazzled but devoted Kate McCallister became one of the most enduring maternal figures in modern holiday cinema. Even in supporting roles, O’Hara had a knack for elevating material with small, precise choices that lingered long after the scene ended.

A defining chapter of her career unfolded through her long-running collaboration with director Christopher Guest. As a core member of Guest’s ensemble, O’Hara helped shape a string of improvised comedies that have become touchstones of American film comedy, including Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. Her performances showcased her mastery of character work and improvisation, earning her critical acclaim and a devoted following.

In later years, O’Hara reached an even wider audience with her role as Moira Rose on the television series Schitt’s Creek. As the eccentric former soap star navigating sudden financial ruin, O’Hara delivered one of the most celebrated comedic performances of the past decade.

Even in the final years of her life, O’Hara remained creatively active. In 2024, she received additional Emmy nominations for her performances in The Studio and HBO’s The Last of Us, underscoring her continued relevance and range well into her seventh decade.

Following news of her death, tributes poured in from colleagues and admirers across film, television, and comedy. Christopher Guest, Martin Scorsese, Eugene and Dan Levy, Seth Rogen, Martin Short, and Steve Martin were among those who praised O’Hara’s talent, generosity, and influence, with many noting her rare ability to be both uproariously funny and deeply humane.