Catherine O’Hara was having difficulty breathing before being rushed to hospital, 911 dispatch audio reveals

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Catherine O’Hara was experiencing “breathing difficulty” in her final hours, according to 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six.

The late actress suffered a medical emergency in her Brentwood, Calif., home on Friday, with paramedics summoned to the scene around 5 a.m.

Page Six reported that the “Schitt’s Creek” alum was rushed to the hospital in “serious” condition before passing away at age 71 hours later.

Catherine O’Hara (pictured above in March 2025) was having trouble breathing before her hospitalization and untimely passing Friday. The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
911 dispatch audio from O’Hara’s medical emergency was obtained by TMZ after the late actress (pictured above in March 2025) died Friday. AFP via Getty Images

Creative Artists Agency confirmed the tragedy in a statement, noting that the “Home Alone” star died following a “brief illness.”

O’Hara’s cause of death is unknown at this time.

She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, as well as their two adult sons — Matthew and Luke.

The “Schitt’s Creek” alum was rushed from her Brentwood, Calif., home in “serious” condition Friday. London Entertainment
News broke Friday afternoon that the “Home Alone” star had died at age 71. WireImage

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Days before O’Hara’s shocking death, she was set to shoot Season 2 of Seth Rogen’s “The Studio,” in which she plays Patty Leigh.

However, the schedule was “reworked … to focus on scenes without her character” as the Emmy winner dealt with “personal matters,” according to The Sun.

“It was not widely known she was dealing with any health or major issues,” a source told the outlet Friday.

The Emmy winner (pictured above in August 2024) experienced a “brief illness” before her passing, according to the Creative Arts Agency. REUTERS
The cause of death for O’Hara (pictured above in February 2020) is unknown at this time. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

While Rogen, 43, and his fellow cast members have yet to speak out on the loss of O’Hara, tributes from past co-stars have been pouring in on social media.

Macaulay Culkin, who played O’Hara’s son in “Home Alone,” told his Instagram followers he wished he had “more … time” with her.

“I wanted to sit in a chair next to you,” the actor, 45, wrote. “I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”

Additionally, “Beetlejuice” star Michael Keaton gushed over his “pretend wife … pretend nemesis and … real life, true friend” in a touching upload.

She is survived by husband Bo Welch and adult sons Matthew (third from the left) and Luke (second from the right, pictured above in November 2003). Rena Durham – KPA/Rena Durham/ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock
O’Hara and Welch (pictured above in February 2004) wed in 1992. Getty Images

He wrote, “This one hurts. Man am I gonna miss her. Thinking about Beau [sic] as well.”

O’Hara and Welch met on the set of the film in 1987, with director Tim Burton encouraging the duo to date.

They tied the knot in 1992 and were all smiles making their last public appearance together at Apple TV+’s Primetime Emmy Party in September 2025.

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