Catherine O’Hara, the talented Canadian actress who brought to life a host of unforgettable movie and television characters-from her time on SCTV to beloved films like Beetlejuice and Home Alone, as well as the hit series Schitt’s Creek-has passed away.
On Friday, O’Hara’s agent confirmed that the 71-year-old died in her Los Angeles home “following a brief illness.”
The unexpected passing of O’Hara, whose career spanned roughly 50 years, starting with the influential sketch comedy show SCTV alongside her frequent collaborator Eugene Levy, took Hollywood by surprise. Tributes from co-stars, friends, politicians and fans flooded in for the actress.
“What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,” wrote Dan Levy, Eugene Levy’s son, in an Instagram tribute. He starred alongside his father and O’Hara, who portrayed his parents on Schitt’s Creek.
“Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” he shared. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed their condolences while highlighting O’Hara’s influence on Canadian culture.
WATCH | What’s so funny about Catherine O’Hara? Only everything:
What made Catherine O’Hara such a comedic genius
As tributes continue for Canadian comedy icon Catherine O’Hara following her sudden passing at 71, Eli Glasner explains how O’Hara’s amazing range, sharp instincts and perfect timing made her an enduring comedic talent that many other great artists loved to collaborate with.
O’Hara gained significant attention for supporting roles in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours and Mike Nichols’ Heartburn, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and two Home Alone films. She and Levy also became key members of Christopher Guest’s group of improv actors.
However, her first major break came while she worked as a waitress at Toronto’s Second City Theatre on Adelaide Street. It was there she watched performers on stage and thought to herself, “I’d love to do that.”
Cross Country Checkup wants to know: What was your favourite O’Hara moment? Leave your comment here and we may read it or call you for Sunday’s show.
O’Hara joined Second City in her early 20s as an understudy for the late Gilda Radner before Radner went on to Saturday Night Live. (O’Hara herself had a brief stint with SNL in 1981 but left before appearing on air.)
She became part of the touring company before becoming a regular cast member on its television show SCTV where she performed alongside Levy and fellow Canadian comedy legends John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas and Martin Short.
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O’Hara embraces her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
“Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin wrote in an Instagram tribute dedicated to his movie mom. “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.”
Although large Hollywood roles didn’t follow after Home Alone’s success, O’Hara found success among improv veterans brought together by Guest through several mockumentaries beginning with Waiting for Guffman in 1996 continuing through Best In Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration.
The biggest hit among these was arguably Best In Show which reunited Levy and O’Hare playing Gerry & Cookie Fleck-a married couple taking their Norwich terrier dog into competition while constantly bumping into Cookie’s old flames along their journey.
“I am devastated,” Guest said via statement given The Associated Press. “We have lost one of comic giants our age.”
Lately, O’hare took another maternal role-this time dramatic-as spoiled matriarch Moira Rose from CBC’S Schitt ‘ s Creek where once again collaborated alongside levy who portrayed husband.
A scene-stealing performance featuring Moira Rose displaying unique speech patterns resulted multiple humorous quips balanced beautifully by wigs worn throughout show.![]()
The cast of Schitt’s Creek poses after winning best comedy series award at Canadian Screen Awards held March2019 (Chris Young/)
WATCH | Full acceptance speech given by O’hare duringcanadian screen awards:
Canadian Screen Awards: Speech from Catherine oharaholiday winners edwinersbest actresscomedyseries
Catherine Oh Ara won Best Actressin Comedy Series
In2017, O’hare received Governor General Award Canada recognizing cultural trailblazer paved way next generation womencomedians.
She received Officer Order Canada honor2018 , andwas awarded Governor General Performing Arts Lifetime Achievementaward last yearNurturing creativity & leaving behind love
Born raised Toronto sixth seven children Catholic Irish descent
Graduating Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute alternative high school wherefirst felllove theatre
“Iwas always being silly didn’t have control over it nobody else tookit too seriously guess Ididn’t either” said O’hare1978interview CBC’Canada After Dark.
“But when Igottheatrearts highschool really gotinvolved then.”
WATCH | A young O’haretalks about starting out:
Quirky characters & hilarious moms
O’Hara became recognized for portraying quirky and memorable supporting characters. She played a crazy ice cream truck driver in After Hours – Scorsese’s 1985 dark comedy about one man’s chaotic night. In Burton’s 1988 film Beetlejuice she portrayed the self-absorbed mother of a teenage girl who befriends ghosts haunting their home-a role she’ll reprise in the upcoming sequel set for release in 2024. Crazed mother figures became somewhat characteristic of O’Hara’s performances; one of her most notable roles featured her as a frazzled mom who accidentally leaves her youngest son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) home alone during Christmas time. The Home Alone movies marked Culkin’s breakout role; however, critics also praised O’Hara for bringing warmth to the character of a mother desperate to reunite with her child.This portrayal earned accolades including Emmy Award , Golden Globe , Screen Actors Guild Award plus six different awards across Canada ; amongst others.
Saying thanks upon receiving award backin2019 o’hare expressed pride being partof production stating “I’m so proud be involved ina show laughs ridiculousness without malice homophobia racism ageism” visibly emotional.WATCH | Full acceptance speech given by O’hare duringcanadian screen awards:
Canadian Screen Awards: Speech from Catherine oharaholiday winners edwinersbest actresscomedyseries
Catherine Oh Ara won Best Actressin Comedy SeriesIn2017, O’hare received Governor General Award Canada recognizing cultural trailblazer paved way next generation womencomedians.
She received Officer Order Canada honor2018 , andwas awarded Governor General Performing Arts Lifetime Achievementaward last year
Catherine Oh Ara shares thoughtsstartingcomedybusiness
Said credited relatively hands-off teacher inspiredcreativity classroom
Catherineoharatranscendedgenresgenerationscomedian Canadianactress Catherineoharadead71. Julia Hladkowicz Ottawa-borncomedian sayswasrolemodel inspiredcomedy.
