Catherine O’Hara Died From Pulmonary Embolism, Death Certificate Reveals
Well, folks, it looks like the comedy world has lost one of its brightest stars—and no, this isn’t a bit from *SCTV* or a deleted scene from *Schitt’s Creek*. Catherine O’Hara, the queen of quirky characters and the woman who made us all want to scream “KEVIN!” in an Irish accent, has left us for the great improv stage in the sky. And no, she didn’t die from accidentally inhaling too much hairspray while perfecting her Moira Rose wig collection. According to her death certificate, the *Home Alone* star passed away from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause. Yep, that’s right—rectal cancer. Because apparently, even in death, Catherine O’Hara was still keeping us on our toes.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, in a move that’s either very professional or just really bad timing, released the details on February 8. O’Hara, who was 71 at the time of her passing on January 30, checked out at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. And in true Hollywood fashion, she was cremated, with her ashes handed over to her husband, Bo Welch. I guess even in death, Catherine knew how to make an exit—straight to the crematorium, no detours.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. When her death was first announced 10 days ago, her reps at Creative Artists Agency said she’d been “briefly ill.” Briefly ill? That’s like saying the Titanic had a “minor iceberg issue.” Turns out, she’d been battling rectal cancer, which, let’s be honest, is not the kind of thing you casually drop into conversation. “Oh, by the way, I have rectal cancer. Pass the wine, darling.” But hey, Catherine O’Hara was never one to shy away from the absurd, so maybe she just figured, “Why not?”
And let’s not forget her other medical quirk: dextrocardia with situs inversus. For those of you who aren’t medical professionals (or fans of *Grey’s Anatomy*), that means her heart and organs were on the wrong side of her body. Yes, you read that right. Catherine O’Hara was basically a real-life *Beetlejuice* character. I’m just surprised she didn’t use it as a party trick. “Hey, want to feel my heart? It’s over here!”
She leaves behind her husband, Bo, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke. And while we’re all mourning the loss of a comedy legend, let’s take a moment to appreciate her final public appearance. On September 14, 2025, Catherine graced the red carpet at the Primetime Emmy Awards, looking every bit the icon she was. Her show, *The Studio*, was nominated for seven awards, and she herself was up for Outstanding Supportive Actress in Comedy Series. (Spoiler alert: Hannah Einbinder won for *Hacks*, but let’s be real—Catherine was the real winner in our hearts.)
After the ceremony, Catherine and Bo attended the Emmys after-party together. Because what’s a night of celebrating your life’s work without a little post-show schmoozing? And let’s not forget, these two have been together since 1992, after meeting on the set of *Beetlejuice*. That’s right—Catherine O’Hara and Bo Welch are living proof that sometimes, the best relationships start with a little bit of gothic horror and a lot of Tim Burton weirdness.
So here’s to you, Catherine O’Hara. Thank you for the laughs, the wigs, and the unforgettable characters. And if there’s an afterlife, I hope you’re up there right now, giving the angels a master class in improv. Rest in peace, you absolute legend. The comedy world won’t be the same without you. 🎭💔
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
