Honoring the late Catherine O’Hara and the many iconic roles that made us all fall in love with her work
By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org
On Jan. 30, the news of Catherine O’Hara’s death broke the hearts of many. O’Hara, 71, was taken from the world too soon; the beloved actress’ death left fans of her work feeling a very real sense of loss in their own lives.
It’s hard to come across someone who hasn’t seen, or at the very least, heard of her many iconic roles. O’Hara wasn’t just a talented actress or even a brilliant comedian, but a comforting presence across cinema and television.
For many actors in the field, they’ll find themselves characterized by a singular role that the public associates most with them. However, for a talent like O’Hara, fans may find multiple roles of hers that they remember fondly.
With her beginnings in sketch comedy, it should be no surprise that she thrived in many humorous roles. O’Hara’s stardom can be traced back to 1976 with her appearance on “Second City Television” alongside Eugene Levy, a longtime friend and coworker, and other notable comedians.
It wasn’t until “Beetlejuice” (1988), however, that the world truly fell in love with O’Hara. This Tim Burton film featured O’Hara as Delia Deetz, the stepmother of a young and moody Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder). For a character whose primary characteristic is antagonism, O’Hara nonetheless portrays Delia with effortless charm, especially with the iconic “Day-O” scene in mind.
If not introduced to her through “Beetlejuice,” then many young fans met her as Kate McCallister, Kevin McCallister’s mom from “Home Alone.” The Christmas classic is often remembered by the iconic line delivery of O’Hara yelling, “Kevin!” when she realizes she has left her 8-year-old son at home while on a plane to Paris. This role allowed O’Hara to not only show off her comedic chops but also to warm spirits with her valiant journey home to her son.
Even in stop-motion animation, O’Hara managed to capture hearts; “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) features O’Hara playing the gentle rag doll Sally. O’Hara perfectly captures Sally’s kind heart with her voice acting and her unforgettable singing, which is hauntingly beautiful.
“Best in Show” (2000) is considered to be one of the standouts of the Hollywood mockumentary genre. In the film, Levy and O’Hara reunited with a magnetic chemistry that fits perfectly into the film’s chaotic, comical environment. The scene where the two sing “God Loves a Terrier” is nothing short of hilarious and exemplary of the duo’s shared talents.
While these earlier projects cemented O’Hara as one of the greats in our lifetime, she has maintained her momentum across many iconic works in more recent years. Among these, one renowned sitcom stands above the rest: “Schitt’s Creek” (2015-2020).
The show’s plot follows a wealthy family who loses their fortune and is forced to move to the only asset they have left: the small town of Schitt’s Creek. O’Hara stars alongside series creator Levy as the family’s mother and father, respectively.
O’Hara plays Moira Rose, a former soap opera actress with an affinity for wigs — a role that resulted in an Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice award for O’Hara. Much of what made the show so loved has to do with O’Hara’s natural charm while embodying the character’s eccentricity. If viewers weren’t a fan of her before, they definitely became one after taking in “Schitt’s Creek.”
“Being in Catherine O’Hara’s orbit was a beautiful, magical gift,” Jennifer Robinson, O’Hara’s “Schitt’s Creek” co-star, said in USA Today. “She was an absolute star who never understood why people made such a fuss about her.”
O’Hara managed to make an impression on thousands of people with her comedic genius and vast talent. The exact opposite of a one-hit wonder, O’Hara was extraordinary in her 50-year career. Though it may feel that she has been taken from us far too soon, we can always turn to the plethora of characters she has given us over the years. Thank you, Catherine O’Hara, for all the laughter you brought to this world.
Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org
