Catherine O’Hara’s representative has shared heartbreaking new details about the star’s final moments, shedding light on what led to her death.

Yesterday (January 30), it was announced that the Canadian-American actress, comedian, and screenwriter had died at her Los Angeles home at the age of 71.

Her legendary Hollywood career spanned decades and included beloved titles such as Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek.

A statement issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department to People revealed few details about what led to her death.

However, O’Hara’s representative has since released additional information, casting new light on the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding her death.

Co-stars share tributes

Following the news of O’Hara’s death, tributes poured in across social media from those who worked with and loved the actress.

The late star’s performance as Kevin McCallister’s mother in Home Alone and its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, remains one of her most cherished roles.

Her on-screen son, Macaulay Culkin, was among the first to publicly mourn her loss.

The actor shared a deeply personal tribute online, posting two images that spanned decades, one from the early days of Home Alone and another from a 2023 reunion on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In the caption, Culkin wrote: “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.”

He ended the post with the words: “I’ll see you later.”

Tributes also came from celebrities across the entertainment industry.

Seth Rogen, who worked with O’Hara on Apple TV’s The Studio, spoke about the profound influence she had on him both personally and professionally.

He credited Home Alone as the film that sparked his love of filmmaking and described O’Hara as ‘hysterical, kind, intuitive, [and] generous.’

Calling the loss ‘devastating,’ Rogen said working alongside her was an honor and noted that the world was brighter for having had her in it.

Michael Keaton, who starred alongside O’Hara in the original Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, also shared a heartfelt tribute.

The pair had known each other long before the first movie, and Keaton reflected on how their relationship evolved over the years – from playing on-screen partners and rivals to becoming close friends in real life.

“This one hurts,” he wrote. “Man am I gonna miss her.”

Life off-screen

O’Hara had been married to film and television director and production designer Bo Welch, 74, for more than three decades.

The couple largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight, though O’Hara often spoke warmly about Welch and the life they built together, both personally and creatively.

Together they welcomed two sons, Matthew, born in 1994, and Luke, born in 1997.

Both boys have largely stayed out of the public eye but followed their parents into the entertainment industry, working behind the scenes in set design and construction on various projects, including Schitt’s Creek.

O’Hara was open about how important her family was to her, once saying that when choosing work she always put home first.

“In deciding what work I might get involved in for my whole working life, my family’s always come first,” she told 519 Magazine.

“I have two sons, and when they were babies, I thought, ‘What’s the point? What’s the point in having children if I’m not going to be with them?’”

At the time of writing, neither Welch nor the couple’s two sons have publicly commented on O’Hara’s death.

Her family has, however, announced plans to hold a private celebration of life in the coming weeks to honor her legacy away from the spotlight, her rep told People.

The roles that defined her legacy

O’Hara built a career that spanned decades, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved performers in film and television.

She rose to fame in the 1980s, quickly winning audiences over with her sharp sense of humor and memorable screen presence.

By the end of the decade, she had landed one of her most famous roles as the eccentric stepmother in Beetlejuice, helping turn the film into a cult classic.

Years later, she found a new wave of fans thanks to the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek, which earned critical acclaim and cemented her status as a television icon.

In her later years, she continued to surprise audiences with more dramatic roles, including an appearance in The Last of Us, while still receiving awards recognition for her work, most recently for The Studio.

In an interview with Variety last year, O’Hara reflected on her long career, O’Hara once described Hollywood as ‘a much more nervous business,’ but said most people still simply want to do good work – and enjoy it.

Circumstances surrounding her death

O’Hara died on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the age of 71, at her home in Los Angeles, her representative confirmed.

Emergency services were reportedly called to the actress’s residence in the early hours of the morning after reports that she was in distress, having ‘difficulty breathing.’ First responders arrived shortly before 5 a.m. and transported her to a nearby hospital.

She was taken to hospital in serious condition but sadly did not recover.

The sudden nature of her death has shocked fans around the world, particularly given her continued presence in film and television in recent years.

Authorities have confirmed that further information will be released as it becomes available.

Cause of death update

O’Hara’s representative has shared additional details as fans continued to search for answers following the star’s sudden death.

It was confirmed that the actress had been dealing with a brief illness in the days leading up to her passing, though no further medical information has been made public.

Those close to O’Hara described her final days as calm and private, spent away from the spotlight.