Home UK Politics World US Money Science, Climate & Tech Ents & Arts Programmes Puzzles Videos Analysis Data x Forensics Offbeat Weather document.currentScript.parentNode.config = {"id":"leaderboard","ad-type":"leaderboard","test-id":"advert-unit--leaderboard-full-bleed","targeting":{"platform":"live","advert-targeting":"'platform': 'live'","artId":"13505474"},"size":{"mobile":[[320,50],[300,50]],"tablet":[[728,90]],"desktop":[[728,90],[970,250]]}} Home Alone actress Catherine O'Hara's cause of death confirmed The Canadian-American actress died at her home in Los Angeles in January.

Monday 9 February 2026 22:36, UK

Why you can trust Sky News Home Alone actress Catherine O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, with cancer the underlying cause, according to a death certificate.

The Canadian-American star died at her home in Los Angeles last month, at the age of 71.

On Monday, the cause of her death was confirmed as a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs.

The Los Angeles County death certificate added that rectal cancer was the long-term cause.

The oncologist who signed off on the certificate said he had been treating O'Hara since March of last year, and last saw her on 27 January.

0:59 Enable javascript to share Share Home Alone star Catherine O'Hara dies at 71 O'Hara won an Emmy award for lead actress for her role in comedy series Schitt's Creek in 2020, where she played the eccentric Moira Rose.

She was also well known for playing Kevin's mother, Kate McCallister, in the first two Home Alone films.

1:10 Enable javascript to share Share Wrap panellists discuss Catherine O'Hara's 'iconic' roles O'Hara is survived by husband, Bo Welch, and sons Matthew and Luke. Her family will hold a private celebration of her life.

Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin in Home Alone and its sequel alongside O'Hara, paid tribute to her on Instagram, describing her as "Mama".

Meryl Streep, who co-starred with O'Hara in the 1986 comedy drama, Heartburn, said she "brought love and light to our world, though whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed".

O'Hara died at a hospital in Santa Monica, California.