Catherine O'Hara's Final Public Appearance Described as 'Very Slender'
Just three months before her tragic passing, beloved actress Catherine O'Hara attended a charity event in California where observers noted she appeared "very slender" yet remained "in great spirits." The Home Alone star, who died at the age of 71 in Los Angeles on January 30, was a guest at the Angel Awards gala hosted by Project Angel Food on October 16, 2025.
Source Details Actress's Appearance at Charity Gala
A source who attended the event at the Proper Hotel Santa Monica told the Daily Mail that O'Hara's appearance was noticeably changed. "Her face was almost gaunt, but she still looked very pretty - she is a striking-looking woman - and she had a touch of glam going on," the insider revealed. The actress reportedly concealed her figure in a bulky green pinstriped suit while maintaining a positive demeanor throughout the evening.
The source emphasised that despite her slender appearance, O'Hara was "very friendly and upbeat and lovely" during the event, which she attended with her husband of many years, production designer Bo Welch, 74. Project Angel Food, the hosting charity, delivers medically tailored meals to people living with serious illnesses.
Circumstances Surrounding the Actress's Passing
According to a statement from her representatives at Creative Artists Agency, the iconic comedy star passed away "following a brief illness" though her exact cause of death remains unconfirmed. Emergency services records indicate that Los Angeles Fire Department responders were dispatched for medical aid at 4:48am on Friday, January 30, with audio recordings suggesting dispatchers referenced "difficulty breathing" before O'Hara was transported to hospital in serious condition.
The actress is survived by her husband Bo Welch, their two sons, and her siblings Michael O'Hara, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O'Hara, Tom O'Hara and Patricia Wallice.
Legendary Career and Heartfelt Tributes
Catherine O'Hara's remarkable career spanned over five decades, beginning in Toronto's improvisational comedy scene before achieving global recognition. She first collaborated with Eugene Levy during these early years, establishing a creative partnership that would last throughout her life and culminate in their acclaimed work together on Schitt's Creek.
Her breakthrough came as part of the original cast of Second City Television (SCTV), the influential sketch show that launched numerous comedy legends including Martin Short, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis and Joe Flaherty. O'Hara earned her first Emmy Award for writing on SCTV, with her second coming four decades later for her performance in Schitt's Creek.
Following news of her passing, tributes have poured in from colleagues and admirers worldwide. Her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin, whom she played mother to in the classic holiday film, shared an emotional tribute on social media alongside images from the film and a recent recreation. "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more," he wrote. "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."
The entertainment world mourns the loss of a uniquely talented performer whose work brought laughter and humanity to audiences across generations, from her early improvisational roots to her iconic film and television roles that cemented her status as a comedy legend.
