Catherine O’Hara, the beloved Canadian-American actress and comedy icon, passed away at the age of 71 on January 30, 2026. Her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), confirmed she died at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
The Los Angeles Fire Department received a medical aid request at O’Hara’s Brentwood home at 4:48 a.m. on January 30. She was transferred to a nearby hospital because of grave medical problems, but she died later that same day. The official cause of death remains unknown, but O’Hara had dextrocardia with situs inversus, which is an uncommon condition that makes all body organs, including the heart, appear in reverse order. The study does not show whether the illness contributed to her death.
Macaulay Culkin, her Home Alone co-star, shared a touching Instagram tribute, stating, “Mama. I thought we had time… I love you.” Dan Levy, who worked with her on Schitt’s Creek, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness O’Hara’s exceptional talent. Pedro Pascal, who worked with her on The Last of Us, called her a “genius” and said, “There is less light in my world.”
Mourning was not limited to Hollywood; Kareena Kapoor also extended her condolences to the actress in her stories, showering her with love. Check out-
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also paid tribute, noting that “Canada has lost a legend.”O’Hara dedicated her entire professional life to comedic and dramatic performances and voice acting, which brought her multiple awards and a global fan base.
The production designer Bo Welch and their two sons, Matthew and Luke, are the surviving family members of O’Hara.
