What You Should Know About Catherine O’Hara and Her Rare Condition, Situs Inversus
Catherine O’Hara Passes Away at 71 After Brief Illness
On January 30, actress Catherine O’Hara died at the age of 71 after being transported to the hospital in "serious condition." Reports indicate she had been experiencing a brief illness prior to her hospitalization.
While the cause of her death has yet to be confirmed, O’Hara—celebrated for her roles in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone—had previously disclosed that she was born with a rare genetic condition, known as situs inversus, which causes her heart to reside on the opposite side of her chest.
Situs inversus is a condition where the organs in the chest and abdomen are arranged in a mirror image of normal anatomy, affecting approximately 1 in every 10,000 people, according to information from the Cleveland Clinic. There is no evidence to suggest that her condition contributed to her passing.
Catherine O’Hara in March 2025.
Emma McIntyre/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Most individuals with situs inversus are unaware they have the condition, as it typically does not present any symptoms that require treatment. Although generally harmless, it can sometimes be linked to other health complications.
In a 2020 conversation during a Virtual Happy Hour with winemaker Kathryn Hall, O’Hara humorously referred to herself as a "freak," as she discussed her experience living with the condition.
The Schitt’s Creek star explained that she learned about her condition over 20 years ago while accompanying her husband, Bo Welch, to a doctor’s appointment. Following a routine EKG and x-ray, she recalled her confusion when the doctor indicated that she was the first patient he had encountered with situs inversus.
Catherine O’Hara in March 2024.
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Reflecting on this revelation, O’Hara noted the irony that her parents, who had passed away, never mentioned the condition to her. “I wonder about my other siblings if they know where their hearts are!” she mused. With a laugh, she added, “When the doctor told us that my heart was on the right side and my organs were flipped, my husband immediately said, ‘No, her head’s on backwards.’ Cheers to health!”
