Catherine O’Hara, beloved for her comedic timing and unforgettable characters, died January 30th at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism, complicated by colon cancer.
The news, initially reported as following a “short illness” by her representatives, now offers a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the loss of the celebrated actress. The cause of death was revealed in a report from the Forensic Medicine Institute of Los Angeles County, as reported by TMZ.
O’Hara was hospitalized due to breathing difficulties before her death. According to the death certificate, she was also cremated, and her remains were returned to her husband, Robert “Bo” Welch, TMZ reported.
O’Hara’s five-decade career began in the 1970s with the Canadian sketch comedy series Second City Television, earning her a first Emmy Award. She continued to build a diverse filmography, appearing in films like Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” and Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice.”
However, it was her role as the delightfully eccentric Moira Rose in the critically acclaimed series “Schitt’s Creek,” beginning in 2015, that cemented her status as a modern comedy icon. She starred in all 80 episodes, winning a second Emmy, a Golden Globe, and numerous other accolades for her performance. More recently, O’Hara appeared in popular series such as “The Last of Us” and “The Studio.”
What was Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death? The actress died from a pulmonary embolism, with colon cancer listed as a contributing factor, according to the Los Angeles County Forensic Medicine Institute.
