Catherine O'Hara Passes Away at 71 Due to Pulmonary Embolism

The beloved actress Catherine O'Hara has died, with the cause revealed as a blood clot in her lungs, along with a long-standing battle with rectal cancer. Tributes from friends and colleagues highlight her legacy.

Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate in the US has revealed. O'Hara died on 30 January in a Los Angeles hospital, at the age of 71. In addition to the blood clot in her lungs, the death certificate listed rectal cancer as the long-term cause of death. It was indicated that she had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025.

Tributes have poured in for the Canadian actress, who most recently appeared in the Emmy-winning comedy 'The Studio' and 'The Last of Us.'

O'Hara Remembered

Actor and 'The Studio' creator Seth Rogen described O'Hara as hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous, and said, We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.

Actor Pedro Pascal, who worked with O'Hara on 'The Last of Us,' expressed his gratitude on Instagram by writing, Oh, genius to be near you. Eternally grateful. There is less light in my world, this lucky world that had you, will keep you, always. O'Hara won an Emmy for her role in the comedy series 'Schitt's Creek' and was recognized for her contribution to the entertainment industry by many fellow actors.

She is survived by her husband Bo Welch, her sons Matthew and Luke, and her six siblings.

What is a Pulmonary Embolism?

According to the NHS, a pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood vessel in the lungs is blocked by a blood clot. Symptoms include sudden difficulty in breathing, chest pain that increases when breathing, and coughing up blood.