The global entertainment community continues to mourn the loss of Catherine O'Hara, the versatile Canadian-American actress whose career spanned decades of iconic comedic and dramatic roles. On Monday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office released the official cause of death for the 71-year-old star, who passed away on February 9, 2026.

According to the official report first obtained by TMZ, O'Hara died from a pulmonary embolism—a sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs. The news has brought a somber clarity to the sudden passing of a woman who was considered a "north star" for generations of comedic performers.

The Final Report from Los Angeles

The Medical Examiner's findings indicate that the immediate cause of death was a blood clot in the lungs. While the report noted the death as occurring under natural circumstances, the suddenness of the event shocked fans who had seen the actress in high spirits at public events only weeks prior.

Medical experts note that pulmonary embolisms can often be "silent killers," occurring with little warning even in individuals who appear to be in relatively good health. The report did not suggest any underlying foul play or external factors, reinforcing the family's initial statement that O'Hara passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles.

A Legacy Built on Transformation

Catherine O'Hara’s career was defined by her singular ability to disappear into characters. Rising to prominence as a lead member of the SCTV (Second City Television) sketch comedy troupe in the 1970s, she quickly established herself as a master of improvisation and character work.

To younger audiences, she was the eccentric and incomparable Moira Rose on the hit series Schitt's Creek, a role that earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. To older generations, she was the quintessential matriarch, Kate McCallister, in the Home Alone films, or the delightfully macabre Delia Deetz in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice.

Critics often noted that O'Hara did not just play a role; she inhabited an entire reality for her characters. Whether she was performing a high-pitched operatic lament as Moira Rose or portraying a folk singer in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries like A Mighty Wind, O'Hara brought a level of technical precision to her comedy that was rarely matched.

Understanding the Risks of Pulmonary Embolism

The revelation of O'Hara’s cause of death has prompted a renewed public discussion regarding vascular health. A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a substance, most often a blood clot, gets stuck in an artery in the lung.

While common risk factors include prolonged immobility—such as long-duration flights or recovery from surgery—they can also be linked to age and certain genetic predispositions. Health organizations often emphasize that early detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), the precursor to most PE cases, is vital for prevention.

Tributes from the Industry

Following the release of the medical examiner's report, O'Hara’s longtime collaborator and friend Eugene Levy released a brief statement through a representative. Levy, who co-created Schitt's Creek and worked with O'Hara for over forty years, described her as "the most brilliant creative partner one could ever hope for."

"Catherine didn't just tell jokes; she saw the world through a lens of beautiful, chaotic absurdity," Levy's statement read. "The world is significantly less colorful today without her voice."

Across social media, actors from Pedro Pascal to Annie Murphy have shared personal anecdotes of O'Hara’s kindness and professional mentorship. In Toronto, fans have created a makeshift memorial outside the historic Second City theater, leaving flowers and "crow" feathers—a nod to her character’s fictional film franchise in Schitt's Creek.

Final Farewells

The O'Hara family has requested privacy during this time but indicated that a private memorial service will be held in Los Angeles, followed by a public celebration of life in her hometown of Toronto later this spring. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to various performing arts charities that support emerging Canadian talent, a cause O'Hara championed throughout her life.

O'Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons. As the industry reflects on her passing, the consensus remains that while her physical presence is gone, her influence on the DNA of modern comedy is permanent.