Catherine O’Hara, the Canadian-born actor and comedian who played Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, died on January 30, 2026, at age 71. Her death certificate, as reported by the Associated Press, listed pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of death and rectal cancer as the long-term cause.
What was Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death?
The Los Angeles County death certificate, reported by the Associated Press, listed a pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause and rectal cancer as the long-term cause. ABC described a pulmonary embolism in plain terms as a blood clot blocking an artery in the lung. The certificate reporting supplied the more specific cause details after the initial announcement.
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O’Hara’s agency, Creative Artists Agency, initially said she died “following a brief illness,” as reported by CBS News. That was the agency’s announcement wording, not its disclosure of the causes later reported from the death certificate.
Why is she known as the ‘Beetlejuice’ actress?
O’Hara played Delia Deetz, an unconventional artist and stepmother, in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988). She returned to the role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024). The character is one of her most recognizable film performances, but it represents only one phase of a career that spanned sketch comedy, movies, television and voice acting.
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How did O’Hara’s career develop?
Sketch comedy beginnings
Born in Canada, O’Hara began her career with Toronto’s Second City comedy troupe and became widely known through the sketch series SCTV. That foundation in improvisation and character comedy informed the distinctive performances she later brought to film and television.
Film roles and collaborations
After Beetlejuice, O’Hara reached another broad audience as Kate McCallister, the mother in the first two Home Alone films. She also appeared in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, including Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, and voiced Sally in the animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas.
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- Item Name: Beetlejuice
- Product Type: PHYSICAL FILM
- Brand: Warner Brothers
Television recognition and later work
O’Hara won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, according to CBS News. Variety describes her Hollywood career as spanning five decades and reports two Emmy wins across her career. Her later television credits included The Last of Us and The Studio. These selected roles show the range of her work; they are not a complete list of her credits.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about her family and legacy?
CBS reported that O’Hara was survived by her husband, production designer and director Bo Welch, and their sons Matthew and Luke. Her agency said the family would hold a private celebration of life.
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In a 2025 interview quoted in Variety’s January 31, 2026 obituary, O’Hara reflected on the entertainment business: “It must be a much more nervous business now, than in the past.” She added, “Most people are trying to do and want to do good work. And most people want to be entertained.”
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Sources
- Associated Press, reporting on the death certificate and O’Hara’s career.
- CBS News, reporting on the agency announcement, family and career.
- Variety, obituary and career context.
- ABC News, reporting on the certificate and career background.
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