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Catherine O’Hara’s sudden death at the age of 71 sent shockwaves through much of Hollywood. The actor, best known for her work on Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, was beloved by her fellow actors and fans. She even had upcoming projects in the works when she died. While her death was a shock, Catherine O’Hara’s death certificate revealed she had been battling cancer in the months leading up to her death. That was not the immediate cause of death, though.

Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death revealed

Catherine O’Hara died on January 30 at the age of 71. While her death left the industry reeling, little was known about what led to her death until now. An official cause of death has been revealed. According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death is listed as a pulmonary embolism. She died at an area hospital after 911 responded to reports of a woman having difficulty breathing at O’Hara’s residence. The call for emergency help was made in the early morning hours of January 30.

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While O’Hara’s immediate cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, the famed actor had been fighting a quiet health battle for months before her death. According to her official death certificate, O’Hara also had rectal cancer. The oncologist who signed off on her death certificate noted that they had been treating the actor since March 2025. Still, it’s unclear if that is when she was officially diagnosed with the illness. She was seen by her doctor on January 27, just three days before she died.

Insiders sensed something was wrong before the actor’s death

While Catherine O’Hara had been working consistently in recent years, she appeared to take a step back from public life in the months leading up to her death. In her last appearance at an industry event in October, O’Hara looked gaunt. An insider spoke with the Daily Mail shortly after O’Hara’s death and remembered her appearance at The Angel Awards in October 2025.

The insider told the publication that O’Hara was a “stunning” woman, but appeared extremely slender in her final appearance. Despite that, the unnamed insider insists O’Hara was energetic and upbeat, never letting on that she was battling a secret health battle. She also appeared at the Emmy Awards the month prior. While she looked thin during that appearance, she was, once again, upbeat. O’Hara never shared her diagnosis with the public. It’s unclear how much her friends knew about her illness.

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