Actor Catherine O’Hara passed away due to a blood clot in her lung, as revealed by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office. The report, confirmed by The Associated Press, cited pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of death, in conjunction with underlying rectal cancer. O’Hara, who was 71 years old, breathed her last on January 30 at a hospital in Santa Monica, California. The oncologist overseeing her care mentioned treating O’Hara since March of the previous year and last seeing her on January 27.
Catherine O’Hara was celebrated for her numerous iconic roles in both television and film, notably in projects like the sketch-comedy series “SCTV,” the popular movies “Beetlejuice” and “Home Alone,” and the acclaimed sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” where she earned an Emmy Award. Her journey to stardom began while she was serving as a waitress at Toronto’s Second City Theatre, where she found inspiration watching the performers on stage and harboring a desire to join them.
She later joined the theatre’s touring company and eventually became a key cast member of the “SCTV” TV show. O’Hara collaborated with other renowned Canadian comedy talents, such as Eugene Levy, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Martin Short.