Catherine O’Hara had just appeared in a slew of recent film and television projects before she died. The late veteran actress died on January 30, 2026, in Los Angeles, following a “brief illness,” according to her manager. The revelation prompted fans and industry colleagues to wonder what happened to Catherine during her final days.
As many already know, Catherine, a Toronto, Canada, native was celebrated for her performances in Beetlejuice, its sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Schitt’s Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Last of Us, The Studio and countless others.
Below, learn what we know so far about Catherine’s health before the heartbreaking news of her death broke.
Catherine was 71 when she died. She was born on March 4, 1954.
At the time of publication, Catherine’s cause of death has not been disclosed. Her manager only confirmed that she died from a “brief illness,” per Variety.
As previously noted, Catherine died following an unspecified illness. She did not discuss any health issues during her final months. So, it’s still unclear what she was battling.
However, TMZ reported that dispatch audio revealed she had difficulty breathing before she was rushed to the hospital.
