Catherine O'Hara Remembered for Spirited Final Public Outing Before Death at 71
Just three months before her passing at age 71, beloved Canadian actress Catherine O'Hara made what would be her final public appearance at the 2025 Angel Awards in Los Angeles. According to sources who attended the event, the Emmy-winning star of Schitt's Creek and Home Alone looked noticeably frail but maintained her characteristic upbeat demeanor throughout the evening.
A Striking Yet Slender Figure at the Angel Awards
The October event at the Proper Hotel Santa Monica saw O'Hara arrive wearing a chic green-striped pantsuit layered over a black button-up shirt. One guest told the Daily Mail that the actress "looked very slender" and described her face as "almost gaunt," though they emphasized she still appeared beautiful and striking. The source noted that O'Hara "hid her figure in a bulky green pinstriped suit" while maintaining an elegant presence on the red carpet.
She was accompanied by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, who wore a blue blazer with beige pants for the occasion. Despite her physical appearance suggesting health concerns, those who interacted with O'Hara reported she remained in high spirits throughout the event.
Upbeat Demeanor Contrasted Physical Frailty
According to the same source, O'Hara's energy told a different story than her physical appearance might have suggested. "She seemed to be in great spirits, however, and was very friendly and upbeat and lovely," the attendee reported. This contrast between her slender appearance and positive demeanor has become a poignant memory for those who witnessed her final public moments.
The Angel Awards honor chefs in Los Angeles who assist people facing critical and life-threatening illnesses by delivering meals through Project Angel Food, according to the organization's website. O'Hara's attendance at this charitable event reflects her longstanding commitment to philanthropic causes throughout her career.
Health Challenges and Final Days
O'Hara passed away following what was described as a brief illness at her Los Angeles home. Her agency confirmed the news to Page Six, which exclusively reported that the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to an early morning call after the actress experienced breathing difficulties. She was transported to hospital in serious condition before her death.
The official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. However, it's known that O'Hara lived with dextrocardia with situs inversus, a rare congenital condition where the organs are mirrored inside the body, according to medical information from the Cleveland Clinic.
Career Interrupted and Legacy Remembered
In the days preceding her death, O'Hara had reportedly been scheduled to film Season 2 of The Studio but withdrew from the project shortly before production was set to begin. Her passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues across the entertainment industry, including messages from Beetlejuice co-star Alec Baldwin and her Home Alone on-screen son Macaulay Culkin.
O'Hara leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Canadian and international entertainment, having created memorable characters across television and film for decades. She is survived by her husband Bo Welch and their two sons, Mathew, 31, and Luke, 29. Her final public appearance, though marked by physical frailty, showcased the same spirited personality that endeared her to audiences worldwide throughout her celebrated career.
