Catherine O'Hara, the Emmy-winning actress and comedy icon best known for her roles in "Schitt's Creek," "Home Alone" and "Beetlejuice," died Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at age 70. Her family confirmed Sunday that the cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, a sudden blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.

Catherine O'Hara
Catherine O'Hara

A statement released by her representatives on behalf of her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and their two sons, Matthew and Luke, read: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Catherine. She died peacefully in her sleep after suffering an unexpected pulmonary embolism. Catherine lived a life filled with laughter, creativity and love, and she brought joy to millions through her extraordinary talent. We are heartbroken but deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support."

O'Hara had been in good health publicly and was last seen at a pre-Super Bowl charity event in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, where she appeared energetic and spoke warmly about upcoming projects. Friends and colleagues described the embolism as sudden and unforeseen, consistent with medical understanding that pulmonary embolisms can occur without warning, often stemming from a blood clot that travels to the lungs.

A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot—typically originating in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis)—breaks free and lodges in a lung artery, blocking blood flow. Symptoms can include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heart rate and coughing, though in some cases the event is fatal before significant warning signs appear. Risk factors include prolonged immobility, surgery, certain medications, cancer, heart disease and genetic clotting disorders. O'Hara's family has not released further medical details.

News of her death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans worldwide. Tributes poured in from co-stars, directors and comedians who worked with her over a career spanning more than four decades.

Eugene Levy, her longtime collaborator and "Schitt's Creek" co-creator and co-star, released a statement calling O'Hara "one of the greatest comedic actors of our time and one of the most generous, kind-hearted people I have ever known." He added: "The world is dimmer without her light. She made every scene better, every joke funnier, every moment more human."

Dan Levy, Eugene's son and "Schitt's Creek" co-creator, posted on Instagram: "Moments like this remind us how fragile and fleeting life is. Catherine was family. She taught me grace, courage and how to find humor in the absurd. I will miss her every day."
Annie Murphy, who played Alexis Rose opposite O'Hara's Moira Rose, shared: "There are no words big enough for what she meant to us. She was magic on screen and pure love off it. Rest, beautiful Catherine."

O'Hara's career began in Toronto's Second City comedy troupe in the late 1970s, where she honed her improvisational skills alongside Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Andrea Martin and others. She joined the SCTV television series in 1981, earning her first Emmy nomination for writing and showcasing her gift for eccentric, larger-than-life characters.

Film roles in the 1980s and 1990s cemented her reputation. She played the frantic mother Kate McCallister in "Home Alone" (1990) and its sequel, delivering the iconic line "Kevin!" that became a holiday staple. In Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" (1988), she portrayed the neurotic ghost Delia Deetz with deadpan perfection. Other notable films included "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (voice of Sally), "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "A Mighty Wind" and "Frankenweenie."

Her defining role came later with "Schitt's Creek," which ran from 2015 to 2020 on CBC and Pop TV. As Moira Rose—the flamboyant, melodramatic former soap-opera star forced to relocate to a rundown motel after losing her fortune—O'Hara delivered a masterclass in physical comedy, vocal exaggeration and emotional depth. The performance earned her an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020, along with a Screen Actors Guild Award and multiple Critics' Choice Awards. The series itself swept the comedy categories at the 2020 Emmys, winning seven awards including Outstanding Comedy Series.

O'Hara remained active after "Schitt's Creek," voicing characters in animated projects, appearing in guest roles on "The Last of Us" (HBO) and "Only Murders in the Building," and starring in the 2024 indie comedy "The Good Half." She was developing a limited series with Apple TV+ at the time of her death.

Born Catherine Anne O'Hara on March 4, 1955, in Toronto to Irish-Canadian parents, she grew up in a large family and began performing in high-school plays. She married Bo Welch in 1992; the couple lived primarily in Los Angeles and maintained close ties to Canada. O'Hara was known for her privacy, dry wit and generosity with younger actors.

Medical experts note that pulmonary embolisms claim tens of thousands of lives annually in the United States and Canada. While preventable in many cases through early detection of clots, mobility after long flights or surgery, and blood-thinning medication when indicated, sudden fatal events remain a leading cause of unexpected death in otherwise healthy adults.

Tributes continued pouring in Monday from across the industry. Tim Burton called her "a singular talent whose originality and warmth were unmatched." John Candy's estate shared archival photos from their SCTV days. Fans flooded social media with clips of Moira Rose's most memorable lines, from "Fold in the cheese" to "What is the object?," celebrating her comedic genius.

A private memorial service is planned for family and close friends, with a public celebration of life expected later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and Second City's scholarship fund for young performers.
O'Hara's death leaves a void in comedy, but her body of work—from SCTV sketches to Moira Rose's indelible performances—ensures her legacy will endure for generations.