Catherine O'Hara's cause of death has been confirmed after the award-winning actressdied at 71 the morning of Jan. 30.
The "Home Alone" actress died froma pulmonary embolism, according to O'Hara's death certificate, which USA TODAY reviewed on Feb. 9.TMZwas first to report the news.
Per the document, she'd died at a Santa Monica, California, hospital within hours of the onset of symptoms. Another contributing cause was rectal cancer, which she'd been living with for months, according to the death certificate.
VarietyandDeadlineinitially reported, citing O'Hara's talent agency CAA, that she had died at home after "a brief illness."
Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara accepts her award as the funniest supporting female in a motion picture at the 15th annual American Comedy Awards at Universal City in Los Angeles on April 22, 2001." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actor Eugene Levy and actress Catherine O'Hara attend the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actress Catherine O'Hara arrives to the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 5, 2011, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Eugene Levy attend the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 13, 2019, in Santa Monica, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara attends The Hollywood Reporter 2019 Oscar Nominee Party at CUT on Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara attends the 24th annual Art Directors Guild Awards at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Feb. 1, 2020." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara accepts the excellence in contemporary television award for "Schitt's Creek" in absence of winner Debra Hanson on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Adam Scott, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Bo Welch attend the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin speak Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremont on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin during Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left: Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Sarah Levy attend the ceremony honoring Eugene Levy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 8, 2024, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara and husband Bo Welch attend the 96th annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael Keaton, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak onstage during the 96th annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara attends the U.K. premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Aug. 29, 2024, in London." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Catherine O'Hara arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen.
Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A pulmonary embolism is caused by a "blood clot that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs," according to the National Library of Medicine'sMedline Plus. A large clot, or having a number of clots, could make a pulmonary embolism life-threatening.
Surgery, cancer, heart and lung diseases, age (over 40 years old) and family history are among risk factors for developing a pulmonary embolism, per Medline Plus.
What is a pulmonary embolism?Catherine O'Hara's cause of death, explained
Someone experiencing a PE might not present any symptoms; common signs include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, raised heart rate and unusually low blood pressure.
Catherine O'Hara was an acclaimed actress, beloved for iconic roles
Throughout her career, the Toronto-born actress became a Hollywood legend, known for iconic roles as mother Kate McCallister in the Christmas classic "Home Alone" and Delia Deetz in the spooky season staple "Beetlejuice," both of which she later reprised in sequels.
Her work was not only applauded by critics and fans but also earned her industry accolades, including a Golden Globe award and two Actor Awards (formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards).
An Emmy Awards darling, she was nominated 10 times and won twice, including in 2020 for her comedy performance as matriarch Moira Rose in "Schitt's Creek" and in 1982 for her work on the SCTV Network. In 2025, she was nominated twice for her playing entertainment executive Patty Leigh on "The Studio" and therapist Gail in "The Last Of Us."
She has supporting roles inMartin Scorsese's "After Hours" in 1985 and Mike Nichols' "Heartburn" in 1986 and later became as regular collaborator with directorChristopher Guestappearing in "Waiting for Guffman" (1996), "Best in Show" (2000), "A Mighty Wind" (2003) and "For Your Consideration" (2006).
Catherine O'Hara's award-winning acting career spanned several decades. Revisit her roles from, her early days in the Canada comedy scene in the 1970s to her recent roles in "Schitt's Creek," "The Studio" and "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Catherine O'Hara's award-winning career, from 'SCTV' to 'Schitt's Creek'
Catherine O'Hara'saward-winningacting career spanned several decades. Revisit her roles from, her early days in the Canada comedy scene in the 1970s to her recent roles in "Schitt's Creek," "The Studio" and "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."
In a 2025 interview withVariety, she reflected on how Hollywood has evolved since she started her career, calling the industry a "much more nervous business now."
"The internet and streaming must have opened up a world of good and horrific possibilities for people," she told the outlet. "Most people are trying to do and want to do good work. And most people want to be entertained."
O'Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, with whom she shares sons Matthew and Luke. She is also survived by siblings Maureen Jolley, Marcus O'Hara, Michael O'Hara, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Tom O'Hara and Patricia Wallice.
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Catherine O'Hara cause of death: How did the 'Home Alone' actress die?
