Beloved Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, known internationally for her iconic roles in Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, Beetlejuice and numerous other films and television series, has died at the age of 71.

O’Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, in Los Angeles after a brief illness, her representatives previously confirmed. On February 9, health authorities released her official death certificate, which listed the immediate cause of death as a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition caused by a blood clot in the lungs. The certificate also identified rectal cancer as the underlying condition contributing to her death.

Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara’s five-decade career spanned stage, film and television. She began performing with the legendary improvisational troupe The Second City and went on to become one of comedy’s most versatile performers.

Her turn as Kevin McCallister’s determined mother Kate in the Home Alone films made her a familiar face to global audiences in the 1990s, and she later achieved widespread critical acclaim for her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek, earning Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In more recent years, O’Hara continued to work across film and television, including roles in the Apple TV+ comedy The Studio and voice work in animated features. Colleagues and fans alike mourned her passing, celebrating both her comedic genius and her generous spirit.

She is survived by her husband, production designer Robert “Bo” Welch, and their two sons. Tributes poured in from co-stars, collaborators and admirers around the world, reflecting her legacy as one of the most beloved performers of her generation.