Catherine O'Hara, the celebrated Canadian-American actress known for her roles in 'Schitt's Creek' and 'Home Alone,' passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. The cause of death was confirmed as a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as an underlying cause, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, as reported by multiple sources including Geo Entertainment and BBC US & Canada. O'Hara's death certificate, obtained by TMZ and cited by E! News, further corroborated these findings, highlighting the embolism as the immediate cause of death. The Guardian noted that she was rushed to a hospital due to breathing difficulties before her passing.