Catherine O’Hara Quietly Lived With a Rare Genetic Condition Since Birth

Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71. The actress passed away early Friday, January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles. Her death was reported by Variety and Deadline, which said she died after a short illness. She was with her family at the time.

Her agency, CAA, later confirmed the news and asked for privacy for her husband, Bo Welch, and their two sons. No official cause of death has been released.

After her passing, public attention turned to a health condition O’Hara had since birth. She was born with a rare genetic condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus. This means her heart and other internal organs were positioned on the opposite side of her body.

O’Hara spoke openly about the condition in a 2020 interview on Kathryn Hall’s Virtual Happy Hour. She said doctors discovered it by accident during a medical test years earlier. I’m a freak, she joked during the interview. I don’t even know the name because I don’t want to know the name. She explained that a scan showed her heart was on the right side of her chest, not the left.

Doctors say situs inversus is usually not dangerous. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many people live their whole lives without symptoms. The condition often only becomes important during medical emergencies, when doctors need to know the organ layout to give proper care.

CAA confirmed that O’Hara died following a brief illness, but did not share more details. Since the announcement, fans and fellow actors have shared messages of grief and respect, calling her one of the greats of comedy.

O’Hara stayed busy until the final years of her life. She recently appeared in the Apple TV+ series The Studio, earning strong reviews and another Emmy nomination. She also had a role in season two of HBO’s The Last of Us.

In films, she returned as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and voiced a character in the animated movie The Wild Robot. Her career stretched back decades, starting on the Canadian sketch show SCTV. She later became widely known for Home Alone and for her work with director Christopher Guest. Many younger fans discovered her through Schitt’s Creek, where she played Moira Rose, a role that earned her major awards.

Throughout her career, O’Hara was known not just for her talent but for her generosity and sharp humor. Colleagues often said she lifted every project she joined.

Catherine O’Hara’s story reminds people that even icons live with private challenges. She never let a rare condition define her, and she never let it slow her down. Her work will continue to influence comedy and acting for years. What do you think about her legacy and the way she spoke so openly about her life? Share your thoughts in the comments.