Catherine O’Hara Cause of Death: ‘Home Alone’ Actress Died From Pulmonary Embolism; Rectal Cancer Underlying Cause
Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause. Her oncologist had been treating O'Hara since March 2025. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California, USA, on January 30. The Emmy Award-winning Canadian-born 'SCTV' alum starred as Macaulay Culkin's mother in two 'Home Alone' movies, and later in 'Schitt's Creek'.
LOS ANGELES (ANDREW DALTON), February 11: Catherine O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism, with cancer as the underlying cause. A Los Angeles County death certificate issued Monday lists the pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, as the immediate cause of the actor's January 30 death at age 71. Rectal cancer was the long-term cause. The oncologist who signed off on the certificate indicated that he had been treating O'Hara since March of last year (2025), and last saw her on January 27. She died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California. ‘Home Alone’ Star Catherine O'Hara Dies at 71; Emmy Award-Winning Actress-Comedian Seen in 'Schitt's Creek,' 'SCTV' and More.
Who Was Catherine O'Hara?
The beloved Canadian-born comic actor and SCTV alum starred as Macaulay Culkin's mother in two Home Alone movies and won an Emmy Award as the dramatically oblivious wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek. Macaulay Culkin Pays Tribute to Catherine O'Hara, Says 'Mama, I Thought We Had Time'; Meryl Streep, Pedro Pascal Remember Actress.
Her death was a surprise to most, and an initial statement from her representatives said only that she died "following a brief illness."
Collaborators including Culkin, Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy and Pedro Pascal paid her loving tribute after her death.
The document said she was cremated. It lists her profession as "actress" and her business as movies. It said she practiced her trade for 50 years.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 11, 2026 02:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).