The death certificate for Catherine O’Hara shows that the immediate cause of her death was a pulmonary embolism, according to a document released by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department and shared publicly. The same document lists rectal cancer as an underlying cause. The certificate further notes that O’Hara, who died on January 30 at age 71, was cremated.
Her passing prompted public tributes, including messages led by her former co-star Macaulay Culkin and by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Career highlights recorded in public records
O’Hara received wide recognition in television and film over several decades. In 2020 she won the Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek. Her film credits include playing the mother to Macaulay Culkin’s character in the 1990 movie Home Alone and appearing as Delia Deetz in two Beetlejuice films.
At the time of her death, O’Hara had also been announced as part of the cast of a forthcoming Hollywood satire television series titled "The Studio," created by Seth Rogen. In that project, she was set to play Patty Leigh, described as the fired head of a Hollywood film studio. The series is identified as a 2025 project in publicly available casting information.
Summary and context
The official record provided by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department establishes the medical causes listed on O’Hara’s death certificate and confirms her cremation. Public responses to her death referenced both her Emmy-winning television work and prominent film roles.
Key points
- Cause of death recorded as pulmonary embolism with rectal cancer named as an underlying condition; certificate notes cremation - relevant to health reporting and official records.
- O’Hara’s career included an Emmy win in 2020 for Schitt’s Creek and major film roles, connecting the news to television, streaming and film sectors.
- She had been attached to a 2025 television project, which links her death to an active production credit in the entertainment industry.
Risks and uncertainties
- The public record provides the immediate and underlying causes but offers limited detail on circumstances surrounding her death - this constrains reporting on any additional medical or situational factors.
- Although she was announced for a 2025 series role, the certificate and public notices do not specify any implications for the production’s casting or schedule - outcomes for that project remain uncertain.
- The wider market impacts on film, television and streaming resulting from her passing are not detailed in the official record and therefore cannot be determined from the available information.