Catherine O'Hara's cause of death confirmed as being from a blood clot in her lungs

Catherine O'Hara's cause of death has been confirmed as a blood clot in the lungs.

The Home Alone star died on 30 January at the age of 71. At the time, her management said she had passed away at her Los Angeles home 'following a brief illness'.

More details have now been released as TMZ obtained the death certificate published by Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. It listed pulmonary embolism as the immediate cause of death (this is when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the lungs) and rectal cancer as the underlying cause.

The Canadian's incredible career spanned five decades, becoming an absolute icon of the screen. Her legendary list of credits of course included the Christmas classic Home Alone films as well as the likes of Schitt's Creek, Beetlejuice and the sketch comedy series where she made her name - Second City Television.

A comedy icon. (Robby Klein/Getty Images for IMDb)

And tributes flooded in globally for O'Hara, with her on-screen son, Macaulay Culkin, writing: "Mama. I thought we had time.

"I wanted more. 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."

LADbible Group has contacted the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office and O'Hara's former representatives for comment.