The entertainment world is reeling after new details emerged about Catherine O’Hara’s death, revealing a private health battle that even many close to her didn’t fully understand. The beloved actress—best known for her iconic turns as Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek and the frazzled mom in Home Alone—died from a pulmonary embolism, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The official documents also disclosed that she had been quietly fighting rectal cancer, which was listed as the underlying cause.
For months, O’Hara continued working while keeping her diagnosis out of the spotlight. To fans, she remained the same razor-sharp, scene-stealing force of nature. Behind the scenes, however, she was navigating a serious illness with the same privacy and grace that defined much of her personal life. Medical experts note that colorectal cancer significantly increases the risk of blood clots, which can lead to a pulmonary embolism—a sudden and often fatal blockage in a lung artery.
When news of her passing first broke on January 30, early reports described a peaceful death at home after a “brief illness.” But official records tell a more urgent story. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that emergency responders were called to her residence in the early morning hours, and she was transported to a Santa Monica hospital in serious condition. Her death certificate indicates she passed away at the hospital shortly after symptoms began, contradicting initial assumptions.
The shock has only deepened given that O’Hara was in the middle of a career high. After decades of standout performances—from her SCTV days to her unforgettable role in Home Alone—she experienced a major resurgence with Schitt’s Creek. Her portrayal of the eccentric, wig-loving Moira Rose earned her a Primetime Emmy in 2020 and a Golden Globe in 2021, cementing her as a multigenerational favorite. At the time of her death, she was actively starring in Apple’s acclaimed series The Studio, showing no outward signs of her illness.
As the specifics surrounding her death became public, tributes from co-stars and friends took on even more emotional weight. Dan Levy reflected on the decades-long bond between O’Hara and his family, calling her presence in his life a gift. Seth Rogen and the cast of The Studio also shared their heartbreak, describing her as warm, classy, and effortlessly hilarious. For fans and colleagues alike, the loss feels especially painful knowing she carried such a heavy burden in silence—continuing to make the world laugh until the very end.
