Catherine O’Hara Dies at 71: ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Star’s Cause of Death Revealed
A celebrated comedic actress, Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30 at her home in Los Angeles after being hospitalized for breathing difficulties. She was 71 years old. Her death certificate, released Monday, cited a pulmonary embolism as the primary cause, with rectal cancer listed as a secondary contributing factor.
A Career Spanning Decades
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara began her career in the world of improvisation with the Second City Theatre, where she first collaborated with fellow comedian Eugene Levy. This partnership would prove fruitful, culminating in their acclaimed work on the television series Schitt’s Creek. Their on-screen debut together came in 1980 with the film Double Negative.
O’Hara quickly gained recognition for her versatility, transitioning seamlessly between film and television. She captivated audiences with her portrayal of Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, playing the eccentric stepmother to Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz. She later married the film’s production designer, Bo Welch, and together they had two sons, Matthew and Luke.
From Blockbuster Comedies to Critical Acclaim
Two years after Beetlejuice, O’Hara cemented her place in cinematic history with her iconic role as the mother in My Poor Little Angel (known as Home Alone in the US), a film that launched the career of Macaulay Culkin. She reprised the role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and continued her collaboration with Burton, lending her voice to Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Throughout her career, O’Hara appeared in a variety of television shows, including The Larry David Show, Modern Family, and more recently, The Last of Us. However, it was her leading role in Schitt’s Creek that truly solidified her status as a contemporary icon.
A Legacy of Awards and Recognition
O’Hara’s performance as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020. She also received a Golden Globe and an award from the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild (SAG) for her work on the series. Her talent and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
