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Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara left an undeniable mark on the film and television world. With today’s tragic news of her passing, her most iconic roles are worth honouring.
O’Hara was actually from Toronto, born in 1954. She started her career at Second City Toronto, not as an actress but as a waitress. According to The Second City, when she first auditioned, then-director Joe Flaherty told her to “Keep up the day job. Keep up the waitressing.” But that didn’t stop her; she proved him wrong.
It wasn’t until 1974 that O’Hara proved him wrong, replacing famous comedienne Gilda Radner after Radner left for New York.
First memorable role
O’Hara joined the cast of SCTV, where she did impressions of Meryl Streep, Brooke Shields and even Lucille Ball.
“Her iconic characters included Lola Heatherton and Dusty Towne. She earned an Emmy for her work writing on the program in 1982,” shared The Second City.
Finding herself playing exciting roles, the next memorable flick, one that many would say is absolutely iconic, would be the 1988 American Gothic horror comedy film Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
Alongside stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin, O’Hara’s role as the eccentric Delia Deetz became instantly unforgettable.
Whether it be her quirky fashion or deadpan humour, O’Hara knew how to steal a scene, making this Tim Burton film a beloved cult classic.
KEVIN!
O’Hara captured hearts again a few years later in the 1990’s holiday classic Home Alone as Kate McCallister.
She perfectly captured the chaos and heart of a mom facing every parent’s nightmare – leaving their kid behind. Between being frazzled and frantic, O’Hara displayed a determined mom who did whatever she could, just to be home with her son – even with a comedic undertone. She played a role that many related to and helped make Home Alone a true classic.
The doors continued to open for O’Hara with another role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Hidden Room and even appearances in television roles and voice-overs.
Other honourable mentions would be Tales from the Crypt, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicken Little, Over the Hedge, The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under, 30 Rock – we could go on.
“My girls! My girls!”
But it was her recent work that introduced O’Hara to a whole new generation of fans. As the hilariously dramatic Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, O’Hara once again showed her iconic and unforgettable gift of making characters shine.
Alongside other powerhouse Canadian stars, Dan Levy, Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy, O’Hara brought the dramatic matriarch Moira Rose to life and then turned it all the way up. Eccentric, spoiled and hard to ignore, Moira made a statement with every word, gesture and outfit. And not to mention the wigs – that alone made Moira one of O’Hara’s most memorable characters.
Catherine O’Hara built a career of characters that were bold, beloved, hilarious and truly unforgettable. Her performances didn’t just entertain us; they stayed with us.
Decades of work, countless iconic roles and a recognizable voice like no other, O’Hara leaves behind a legacy that will continue to delight audiences for years to come.
Thank you, Catherine.
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