Catherine O'Hara Hospitalised with Breathing Issues Before Death at 71
Beloved actress Catherine O'Hara was rushed to hospital with serious breathing difficulties in the early hours of Friday morning before her subsequent death, according to multiple reports. The celebrated star, known for iconic roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt's Creek, passed away at the age of 71 following what her representative described as 'a brief illness'.
Emergency Response to Brentwood Home
According to dispatch audio obtained by the Daily Mail, emergency responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department were called to O'Hara's Brentwood home address at 4:48am on Friday morning. The call concerned an 'approximately 70-year-old woman' who was experiencing significant difficulty breathing. The patient, presumed to be O'Hara, was transported to hospital in what authorities confirmed was 'serious condition'.
A specific cause of death has not yet been officially announced by medical authorities or O'Hara's family representatives. The actress's passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among her legion of fans worldwide.
Final Public Appearances and Career Highlights
O'Hara's last public appearance occurred in September 2025, when she attended Apple TV's Primetime Emmy party in West Hollywood. Just one week earlier, she had been honoured with the TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award during the Toronto International Film Festival in her Canadian hometown.
Despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress for her work in Seth Rogen's industry satire The Studio, O'Hara did not attend the ceremony on January 11th. Her absence now takes on poignant significance in light of her subsequent health decline.
Across a remarkable career spanning more than five decades, O'Hara created numerous unforgettable characters:
- Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice (1988) and its 2024 sequel
- Kate McCallister, Macaulay Culkin's on-screen mother in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- Voice roles in Tim Burton's animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Collaborations with Christopher Guest on mockumentaries including Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show
- The incomparable Moira Rose in 80 episodes of Schitt's Creek (2015-2020)
Tributes and Personal Legacy
Macaulay Culkin, who played O'Hara's son in the Home Alone films, paid emotional tribute to his screen mother, writing: 'Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I'll see you later.'
O'Hara is survived by her husband, American production designer Bo Welch, 74, whom she met while working on Beetlejuice and married in 1992. The couple had two adult children, Luke and Matthew Welch. The family has announced that a private celebration of her life will be held in due course, respecting their need for privacy during this difficult period.
The entertainment world mourns the loss of a uniquely talented performer whose comedic brilliance and dramatic depth touched generations of audiences. From her early work with Second City Television to her recent acclaimed performances, O'Hara's legacy as one of comedy's most gifted and versatile actresses remains firmly established.
