Catherine O’Hara’s Death Ruled a Result of Pulmonary Embolism, Complicated by Rectal Cancer
A pulmonary embolism was determined to be the cause of death for beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, with rectal cancer listed as an indirect contributing factor, according to her official death certificate. The celebrated performer, known for her iconic roles in films like “Home Alone” and “Beetlejuice,” passed away at the age of 71.
Final Appearances and Absence from Awards Season
O’Hara’s last public appearance was at the 2025 Emmy Awards in September, where she received nominations for her work in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” Nearly three weeks before her death, she was notably absent from the 2026 Golden Globes, where she had been nominated for a supporting role in “The Studio” alongside Seth Rogen.
Underlying Health Conditions
The actress privately battled a rare congenital heart defect known as dextrocardia with situs inversus, a condition involving the inversion of the viscera. She openly discussed her condition in a 2021 interview, jokingly referring to herself as a “freak” and explaining she only discovered it in adulthood due to avoiding medical visits. In a 2024 conversation with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the “Wiser Than Me” podcast, O’Hara expressed gratitude for simply being alive as a septuagenarian. She approached the topic of mortality with a characteristic warmth and humor, once describing her ideal farewell as “laughing, surrounded by my old grandchildren who say: ‘Let it go, Grandma!’” in a 2013 interview with Vanity Fair.
Final Arrangements
Following her death, Catherine O’Hara was cremated, and her ashes were returned to her husband, Robert “Bo” Welch.
Details of Her Passing
Reports indicate O’Hara was hospitalized in serious condition prior to her death, with paramedics noting she experienced difficulty breathing. The cause of death was officially confirmed as a pulmonary embolism.
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