Catherine O'Hara's Rare Heart Condition Surfaces Amid Reports Of Her Death After A 'Brief Illness'
By Favour Adegoke on January 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM EST
Best known for her roles in "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," and as Moira Rose on "Schitt's Creek," the actress's career spanned more than four decades, earning her multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards.
A Toronto native, Catherine O'Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons.
Catherine O'Hara Reportedly Passed Away After A 'Brief Illness'
Comedy legend Catherine O'Hara has died at the age of 71. Her representative confirmed to People Magazine that she passed away on January 30 following a "brief illness."
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, emergency crews were dispatched to O'Hara's Los Angeles residence at 4:48 a.m. on Friday following reports of a woman in her early 70s experiencing breathing problems.
The individual was transported to a hospital in serious condition. LAFD dispatch records later referenced respiratory complications at the scene. The patient was widely believed to be the Emmy-winning "Schitt's Creek" star.
Over a career that spanned more than four decades, O'Hara became one of the most respected figures in comedy. She delivered memorable performances in films such as "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," and several Christopher Guest mockumentaries, including "Best in Show."
On television, she achieved renewed global fame portraying Moira Rose on "Schitt's Creek," starring alongside Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. Her work on the series earned her an Emmy Award in 2020, as well as Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards.
The Actress Lived With A Rare Heart Condition
While O'Hara's official cause of death has yet to be confirmed, it has since been revealed that the actress battled a rare heart condition while she was alive.
Per reports, the actress had a heart condition known as dextrocardia with situs inversus, which, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a rare birth defect where the organs in the chest and abdomen develop in a reversed way, so that it mirrors normal anatomy.
O'Hara was unaware of this birth defect until her adulthood, when she was asked to do standard tests, such as an EKG and X-Ray.
"When the doctor told us that my heart was on the right side and my organs were flipped, my husband immediately said, 'No, her head's on backwards," O'Hara stated in a 2021 interview.
As of now, it's unclear how much this rare condition played a role in her passing.
Stars And Fans Pay Tribute To Catherine O'Hara
Following news of her passing, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry.
Macaulay Culkin, who played her son in "Home Alone," shared an emotional message on Instagram. "Mama. I thought we had time," he wrote. Reflecting on their bond, he added that he wished for more moments and conversations with her. He ended his tribute with, "I love you. I'll see you later," alongside photos of them together then and now.
Pedro Pascal, who worked with O'Hara on "The Last of Us," also honored her memory online. "There is less light in my world," he wrote, expressing gratitude for having known and worked with her, and sharing a photo from their time on set.
Justin Theroux, her co-star in "Beetlejuice," posted a quiet tribute as well, sharing an image of O'Hara's on-set chair bearing her name and writing, "Oh, Catherine. You will be so, so missed."
O'Hara is survived by her husband of more than three decades, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29.
Catherine O'Hara's Last Red Carpet Moments At The Emmys
O'Hara's final public appearance took place at the Emmy Awards in September, where fans noted that she appeared visibly frail on the red carpet.
She was later absent from the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, despite receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actress on Television for "The Studio."
During the ceremony, Culkin took the stage to present the award for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture and briefly reflected on "Home Alone."
Just weeks before her Emmy appearance, O'Hara reunited with longtime collaborator Eugene Levy at the Toronto International Film Festival, where she was honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award. Levy presented the award, prompting an emotional response from O'Hara during her acceptance speech.
"Eugene, that's too much. Thank you, darling," she said, before adding, "Darling Eugene. When I think of my happiest days in this adventure in show business, I realize most of them have been with you."
Catherine O'Hara's Career And Achievements
Born in Toronto, O'Hara first rose to prominence as part of the groundbreaking SCTV ensemble, working alongside future comedy legends including John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Rick Moranis. She later became a household name as the frantic yet devoted mother in the first two "Home Alone" films and captivated a new generation as Moira Rose across all six seasons of "Schitt's Creek."
Her talent extended beyond comedy, with recent projects like "The Studio" highlighting her dramatic range. Over the course of her career, O'Hara earned two Emmy Awards—first in 1982 for SCTV Network and again in 2020—along with numerous additional nominations for acting and writing. In 2017, she was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors.
