{"id":2658,"date":"2026-02-10T10:42:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=2658"},"modified":"2026-02-10T10:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:42:42","slug":"catherine-ohara-cause-of-death-revealed-after-home-alone-star-died-at-71","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=2658","title":{"rendered":"Catherine O&#8217;Hara cause of death revealed after &#8216;Home Alone&#8217; star died at 71"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s cause of death has been confirmed after the award-winning actress\u00a0died at 71 the morning of Jan. 30.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The &#8220;Home Alone&#8221; actress died from\u00a0a pulmonary embolism, according to O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s death certificate, which USA TODAY reviewed on Feb. 9.\u00a0TMZ\u00a0was first to report the news.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Per the document, she&#8217;d died at a Santa Monica, California, hospital within hours of the onset of symptoms. Another contributing cause was rectal cancer, which she&#8217;d been living with for months, according to the death certificate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-nowrap justify-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Variety\u00a0and\u00a0Deadline\u00a0initially reported, citing O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s talent agency CAA, that she had died at home after &#8220;a brief illness.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"-mx-4 mb-5 max-w-[750px] md:mx-0\">\n<div class=\"relative md:overflow-hidden md:rounded-lg\">\n<div class=\"absolute left-3 top-1\/2 z-1 -translate-y-1\/2 md:left-6\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"_R_1hp56mhek5clubsnm6jb_\" class=\"no-scrollbar flex snap-x snap-mandatory overflow-y-hidden overflow-x-scroll\">\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"true\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/7AtYkBXb85QdhEESMuNhMg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/82f09cdfd8d4fc5c6b7165659eaa81d4\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara on &#8220;The Tonight Show with Jay Leno&#8221; at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.vVbzPzqj.V0FF1zaU2KCA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/efb08284e6b9f9ffc9a10d4348f45c37\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\"><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"false\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"18\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"18\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ee0BDW6bYQQMgD_23TPerg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/c70f6343ed5ebadbd637a5cef31eb8fd\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute right-3 top-1\/2 z-1 -translate-y-1\/2 md:right-6\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-4 md:mx-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<h2 class=\"text-base font-bold text-primary\">Award-winning actress Catherine O&#8217;Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"whitespace-nowrap text-sm\"><span class=\"ml-1 font-normal text-primary\"><span class=\"font-bold text-hulk-pants dark:text-thanos\">1<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a019<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative text-sm pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara on &#8220;The Tonight Show with Jay Leno&#8221; at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">What is a pulmonary embolism?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A pulmonary embolism is caused by a &#8220;blood clot that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs,&#8221; according to the National Library of Medicine&#8217;s\u00a0Medline Plus. A large clot, or having a number of clots, could make a pulmonary embolism life-threatening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong>What is a pulmonary embolism?\u00a0<\/strong>Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s cause of death, explained<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-nowrap justify-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">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.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Catherine O&#8217;Hara was an acclaimed actress, beloved for iconic roles<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Throughout her career, the Toronto-born actress became a Hollywood legend, known for iconic roles as mother Kate McCallister in the Christmas classic &#8220;Home Alone&#8221; and Delia Deetz in the spooky season staple &#8220;Beetlejuice,&#8221; both of which she later reprised in sequels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">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).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">An Emmy Awards darling, she was nominated 10 times and won twice, including in 2020 for her comedy performance as matriarch Moira Rose in &#8220;Schitt&#8217;s Creek&#8221; and in 1982 for her work on the SCTV Network. In 2025, she was nominated twice for her playing entertainment executive Patty Leigh on &#8220;The Studio&#8221; and therapist Gail in &#8220;The Last Of Us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-nowrap justify-center\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She has supporting roles in\u00a0Martin Scorsese&#8217;s &#8220;After Hours&#8221; in 1985 and Mike Nichols&#8217; &#8220;Heartburn&#8221; in 1986 and later became as regular collaborator with director\u00a0Christopher Guest\u00a0appearing in &#8220;Waiting for Guffman&#8221; (1996), &#8220;Best in Show&#8221; (2000), &#8220;A Mighty Wind&#8221; (2003) and &#8220;For Your Consideration&#8221; (2006).<\/p>\n<div class=\"-mx-4 mb-5 max-w-[750px] md:mx-0\">\n<div class=\"relative md:overflow-hidden md:rounded-lg\">\n<div id=\"_R_4pp56mhek5clubsnm6jb_\" class=\"no-scrollbar flex snap-x snap-mandatory overflow-y-hidden overflow-x-scroll\">\n<figure class=\"size-full shrink-0\" data-inview=\"true\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"snap-start snap-always\" data-slide-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 blur-3xl\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-contain object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/r8K1gEoWzGN5TcMl1KfPZA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyOTA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_slideshows_242\/0de5eba3702ba544acfd1e3aed3136a3\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm sr-only pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s\u00a0award-winning\u00a0acting career spanned several decades. Revisit her roles from, her early days in the Canada comedy scene in the 1970s to her recent roles in &#8220;Schitt&#8217;s Creek,&#8221; &#8220;The Studio&#8221; and &#8220;Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mx-4 md:mx-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<h2 class=\"text-base font-bold text-primary\">Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s award-winning career, from &#8216;SCTV&#8217; to &#8216;Schitt&#8217;s Creek&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative text-sm line-clamp-2 pr-2.5 text-tertiary\">\n<div>\n<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s\u00a0award-winning\u00a0acting career spanned several decades. Revisit her roles from, her early days in the Canada comedy scene in the 1970s to her recent roles in &#8220;Schitt&#8217;s Creek,&#8221; &#8220;The Studio&#8221; and &#8220;Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a 2025 interview with\u00a0Variety, she reflected on how Hollywood has evolved since she started her career, calling the industry a &#8220;much more nervous business now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The internet and streaming must have opened up a world of good and horrific possibilities for people,&#8221; she told the outlet. &#8220;Most people are trying to do and want to do good work. And most people want to be entertained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">O&#8217;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&#8217;Hara, Michael O&#8217;Hara, Mary Margaret O&#8217;Hara, Tom O&#8217;Hara and Patricia Wallice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Contributing: Kelly Lawler<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:\u00a0Catherine O&#8217;Hara cause of death: How did the &#8216;Home Alone&#8217; actress die?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Catherine O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s cause of death has been confirmed after the award-winning actress\u00a0died at 71 the morning of Jan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-us"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2658"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2660,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658\/revisions\/2660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}