Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated actress known for her iconic roles in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and Schitt’s Creek, died on January 30th in Los Angeles at age 71. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has since confirmed the cause of death as a pulmonary embolism, triggered by underlying rectal cancer. This explains why her passing was initially described as following a “brief illness.”
A Hidden Health Battle
The circumstances surrounding O’Hara’s death reveal a previously undisclosed health struggle. The embolism, a blockage in the lung artery, proved fatal despite her long career and public persona. The underlying cancer highlights the often-hidden realities of serious illness even among those in the spotlight.
A Life Defined by Comedy and Collaboration
O’Hara began her career at Toronto’s Second City Theater, where she forged a lasting bond with Eugene Levy. This collaboration would later culminate in the critically acclaimed Schitt’s Creek, a series for which she earned multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards. She met her husband, Bo Welch, an Oscar-nominated production designer, on the set of Beetlejuice in 1988; they married four years later and had two sons, Matthew and Luke.
Rare Congenital Condition
A resurfaced interview reveals O’Hara lived with situs inversus, a rare condition where internal organs are mirrored. Her heart was on the right side instead of the left, a lifelong anomaly that never publicly defined her work or performance. This condition, while not directly related to her cause of death, adds another layer to her personal story.
Legacy in Comedy
O’Hara’s influence extends beyond her most famous roles. She earned five Emmy nominations through her work on the sketch show SCTV, winning one award. Her mentorship under Gilda Radner, as she once stated to Vanity Fair, shaped her comedic approach: “She just was by example.” O’Hara’s career spanned decades, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and memorable performances.
O’Hara is survived by her husband and two sons. Her death underscores the sudden, often private nature of fatal illness, even for public figures. Her passing leaves a notable void in comedy and entertainment.
