Catherine O'Hara revealed she had rare genetic condition years ago
- - Catherine O'Hara revealed she had rare genetic condition years ago
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYJanuary 31, 2026 at 3:29 AM
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Catherine O'Hara revealed she had rare genetic condition years ago
Emmy-winning actress Catherine O'Hara died at home early on Friday, Jan. 30, at age 71 after "a brief illness," Variety and Deadline reported.
No cause of death for the "Home Alone" and "Schitt's Creek" star has been revealed. USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner for additional information.
While the details surrounding O'Hara's death are unavailable, the Canadian native previously revealed a rare congenital condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus.
During a 2020 interview on winemaker Kathryn Hall's Virtual Happy Hour, O'Hara opened up about having situs inversus, a genetic condition in which some organs are positioned in reverse in the body.
"I’m a freak," she said while laughing. "I don't even know the name because I don't want to know the name."
Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_HcMYm6.LIQFYRmZeG2w5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/82f09cdfd8d4fc5c6b7165659eaa81d4 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.
">Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_HcMYm6.LIQFYRmZeG2w5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/82f09cdfd8d4fc5c6b7165659eaa81d4 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara accepts her award as the funniest supporting female in a motion picture at the 15th annual American Comedy Awards at Universal City in Los Angeles on April 22, 2001.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lvTlOwJWI07R2E2KwtrybA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/efb08284e6b9f9ffc9a10d4348f45c37 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara accepts her award as the funniest supporting female in a motion picture at the 15th annual American Comedy Awards at Universal City in Los Angeles on April 22, 2001.
">Catherine O'Hara accepts her award as the funniest supporting female in a motion picture at the 15th annual American Comedy Awards at Universal City in Los Angeles on April 22, 2001.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lvTlOwJWI07R2E2KwtrybA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/efb08284e6b9f9ffc9a10d4348f45c37 class=caas-img>Actor Eugene Levy and actress Catherine O'Hara attend the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0cVNTio8iOGHLOjA6hHNNA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDU1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/568c4ba82392095660b6dbfedc8b2036 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Actor Eugene Levy and actress Catherine O'Hara attend the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California.
">Actor Eugene Levy and actress Catherine O'Hara attend the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0cVNTio8iOGHLOjA6hHNNA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDU1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/568c4ba82392095660b6dbfedc8b2036 class=caas-img>Actress Catherine O'Hara arrives to the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 5, 2011, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KpVqnibFjMF6n2.FUZre9Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ab2dddf37bbf050d503ac3c1a212e58f class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Actress Catherine O'Hara arrives to the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 5, 2011, in Hollywood, California.
">Actress Catherine O'Hara arrives to the 2011 Writers Guild Awards on Feb. 5, 2011, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KpVqnibFjMF6n2.FUZre9Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xOTMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ab2dddf37bbf050d503ac3c1a212e58f class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara, left, and Eugene Levy attend the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 13, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZsMtplUXTph2xMgM20_WVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/04589823aa1620d594122353a1fc5bd8 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Eugene Levy attend the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 13, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
">Catherine O'Hara, left, and Eugene Levy attend the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 13, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZsMtplUXTph2xMgM20_WVw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/04589823aa1620d594122353a1fc5bd8 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara attends The Hollywood Reporter 2019 Oscar Nominee Party at CUT on Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3ZV.VpqxBkDi_m_oG0W3OQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3d714d268b9c19b69a8c3205c08307ec class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara attends The Hollywood Reporter 2019 Oscar Nominee Party at CUT on Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Catherine O'Hara attends The Hollywood Reporter 2019 Oscar Nominee Party at CUT on Feb. 4, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3ZV.VpqxBkDi_m_oG0W3OQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3d714d268b9c19b69a8c3205c08307ec class=caas-img>From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s1DhZCBnjLJQd29cbhKfRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0bd640cef805e4eec8f31f988bf1e21f class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
">From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s1DhZCBnjLJQd29cbhKfRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0bd640cef805e4eec8f31f988bf1e21f class=caas-img>From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GHbKktBg4L.WuIejDfKMMw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0af569743dc2ed2cf8e24c857e38c0f8 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
">From left: Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy and Eugene Levy of "Schitt's Creek" speak during the Pop TV segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on Jan. 13, 2020, in Pasadena, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GHbKktBg4L.WuIejDfKMMw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0af569743dc2ed2cf8e24c857e38c0f8 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara attends the 24th annual Art Directors Guild Awards at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Feb. 1, 2020.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z8LWIKCdWnxDxW74YlXLtg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzEz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/df79e94872569746a071d55fdf8885c0 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara attends the 24th annual Art Directors Guild Awards at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Feb. 1, 2020.
">Catherine O'Hara attends the 24th annual Art Directors Guild Awards at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Feb. 1, 2020.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z8LWIKCdWnxDxW74YlXLtg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzEz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/df79e94872569746a071d55fdf8885c0 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara accepts the excellence in contemporary television award for "Schitt's Creek" in absence of winner Debra Hanson on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uNiUgsXPaw6RN1_ZMlNy.w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/61be377b92823895a459989b0aaacbb4 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara accepts the excellence in contemporary television award for "Schitt's Creek" in absence of winner Debra Hanson on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Catherine O'Hara accepts the excellence in contemporary television award for "Schitt's Creek" in absence of winner Debra Hanson on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uNiUgsXPaw6RN1_ZMlNy.w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/61be377b92823895a459989b0aaacbb4 class=caas-img>Adam Scott, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/36bCSjy.O6dnWnLkF6QnGg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e3af559f02b528fc1e0bc976e0047dc7 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Adam Scott, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Adam Scott, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak on stage during the 22nd Costume Designers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 28, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/36bCSjy.O6dnWnLkF6QnGg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e3af559f02b528fc1e0bc976e0047dc7 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara, left, and Bo Welch attend the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AB02NKfIM0bpVu2czUtI9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/74ceaa5eb29e5a3b79a317da9687ebb3 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Bo Welch attend the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles.
">Catherine O'Hara, left, and Bo Welch attend the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 19, 2020, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AB02NKfIM0bpVu2czUtI9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/74ceaa5eb29e5a3b79a317da9687ebb3 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin speak Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremont on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c_p7clL.d0eBisiseboZTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/841be1fc925f477e6ef240afa2740a66 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin speak Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremont on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
">Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin speak Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremont on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/c_p7clL.d0eBisiseboZTg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/841be1fc925f477e6ef240afa2740a66 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin during Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3QMe.RMM.CM3kjkoxsncqg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e7b7359399cf66e346a94bb01877ab83 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin during Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
">Catherine O'Hara, left, and Macaulay Culkin during Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Dec. 1, 2023, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3QMe.RMM.CM3kjkoxsncqg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e7b7359399cf66e346a94bb01877ab83 class=caas-img>From left: Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Sarah Levy attend the ceremony honoring Eugene Levy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 8, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N050Di4tjuXIpRWg8RmCBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjkx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/70bd3b20693060223a809e161f0ab1f2 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
From left: Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Sarah Levy attend the ceremony honoring Eugene Levy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 8, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
">From left: Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Sarah Levy attend the ceremony honoring Eugene Levy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 8, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N050Di4tjuXIpRWg8RmCBw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjkx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/70bd3b20693060223a809e161f0ab1f2 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara and husband Bo Welch attend the 96th annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AXphRi98cT5l108a2.AedA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/83d308f803126cb536a4a7b5c206ce4c class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara and husband Bo Welch attend the 96th annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
">Catherine O'Hara and husband Bo Welch attend the 96th annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AXphRi98cT5l108a2.AedA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/83d308f803126cb536a4a7b5c206ce4c class=caas-img>Michael Keaton, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak onstage during the 96th annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DapAGeEInEok7fI7fi8ZHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c219292f92b71b0cbea4242f489a1abd class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Michael Keaton, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak onstage during the 96th annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
">Michael Keaton, left, and Catherine O'Hara speak onstage during the 96th annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DapAGeEInEok7fI7fi8ZHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c219292f92b71b0cbea4242f489a1abd class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara attends the U.K. premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Aug. 29, 2024, in London.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hlVN5tL8l8YArpajQu.NVg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6b46b2eae05279c3beeffc146b3ff440 class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara attends the U.K. premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Aug. 29, 2024, in London.
">Catherine O'Hara attends the U.K. premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" at the Cineworld Leicester Square on Aug. 29, 2024, in London.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hlVN5tL8l8YArpajQu.NVg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6b46b2eae05279c3beeffc146b3ff440 class=caas-img>Catherine O'Hara arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KMf1fQ7Gl8C0OgoSZWEk_Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c70f6343ed5ebadbd637a5cef31eb8fd class=caas-img data-headline="Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen." data-caption="
Catherine O'Hara arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025.
">Catherine O'Hara arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KMf1fQ7Gl8C0OgoSZWEk_Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c70f6343ed5ebadbd637a5cef31eb8fd class=caas-img>
1 / 19Award-winning actress Catherine O'Hara dead at 71. See her life on and off screen.
Catherine O'Hara on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, 2002.
What is situs inversus? What type did Catherine O'Hara have?
Situs inversus is a genetic variation in which the organs in a person's chest and abdomen are on the mirror-image side of normal anatomy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Cleveland Clinic says people with the condition, which is caused by genetic mutations, can live normal lives, as it is typically harmless. Most people with situs inversus are unaware they have it since the condition has no signs or symptoms that prompt treatment.
O'Hara said she had the type of situs inversus known as dextrocardia, in which the heart faces the right side of the chest while the other organs are in reverse.
How did O'Hara find out she had situs inversus?
O'Hara said she learned about her rare condition after an electrocardiography test and x-ray exam during a doctor's visit many years prior. The comedy legend said her husband, Bo Welch, was by her side when she found out.
"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."
Upon learning she had dextrocardia with situs inversus, O'Hara said she sought to learn as little as possible, quipping, "I love Western medicine. I just don't want to be part of it."
"People are gonna think I'm so ignorant not to know this, but I kind of don't want to know, because I didn't know before," she said. "Never heard anything about this with anyone else. We're driving home, and I think, I wonder how my other siblings, if they know where their hearts are."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Catherine O'Hara revealed rare genetic condition. What is situs inversus?
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
