Commentary: Catherine O’Hara remembered in 10 indelible roles

Catherine O’Hara was brilliant at playing over-the-top characters. She’s well-known for her role as the initially spoiled, then down-to-earth motel manager in “Schitt’s Creek.” She also memorably played a selfish stepmother in “Beetlejuice” who, when haunted, channeled Harry Belafonte while singing “Day-O.” And who could forget her as the frantic, absent-minded mother who accidentally leaves her son home alone in the beloved Christmas comedy, “Home Alone”?

Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated actress who passed away Friday at 71, created a remarkable range of characters throughout her five-decade career in film and television. Each role was unique and brought to life with her distinctive ability to give every character their own memorable personality, habits, and mannerisms – from quirky artists to unpleasant socialites and seemingly ordinary housewives.

Television

Catherine O’Hara, the beloved actress from ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ ‘The Studio,’ and ‘Home Alone,’ has passed away at the age of 71.

Jan. 30, 2026

Catherine O’Hara was a naturally funny performer, but she was incredibly versatile. Whether it was playing a heartbroken therapist in Season 2 of HBO’s “The Last of Us” or bringing strange and wonderful characters to life in Tim Burton’s movies, she consistently stood out. Here are 10 of her most iconic performances.

‘SCTV,’ Lola Heatherton (1976-1984)

Catherine O’Hara began her career on the Canadian comedy show “SCTV,” which was similar to “Saturday Night Live” but known for its gentler humor. She quickly became a standout performer, creating memorable recurring characters that boosted the show’s popularity. One of these was Lola Heatherton, a flamboyant lounge singer famous for her over-the-top performances. Lola was known for dramatically shouting, “I wanna bear all your children!” when overcome with emotion, which happened frequently. O’Hara worked alongside future collaborator Eugene Levy on “SCTV,” and her work on the show earned her an Emmy Award, as well as praise for her spot-on impressions of celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Meryl Streep.

‘After Hours,’ Gail, the ice cream truck lady (1985)

Paul, a man working in Midtown, just wants to go home after a bad date in Lower Manhattan, but he keeps running into strange people and chaotic situations that trap him in the area. Gail seems relatively normal, and she even has a working phone, but she’s secretly very odd and suspicious. Ultimately, she misidentifies Paul as a burglar and unleashes an angry crowd of neighbors on him. (Available on VOD)

‘Beetlejuice,’ Delia Deetz (1988)

In Tim Burton’s early hit, Catherine O’Hara brilliantly played Delia Deetz, the snobby and self-centered stepmother of Winona Ryder’s character, Lydia. When the family moves from New York to Connecticut, Delia immediately starts transforming their charming old house into a ridiculously over-the-top display with awful modern-gothic art. However, a now-iconic comedic scene features Delia performing a lively song-and-dance number to “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).” She’s possessed by a ghost, forcing her to sing the Caribbean tune in the style of Harry Belafonte while dancing in front of her shocked dinner guests. (Available on demand)

‘Home Alone,’ Kate McCallister (1990)

Catherine O’Hara is fondly remembered by many who grew up in the 1990s for her role as Kate McCallister in the Home Alone movies. She plays a mom who unintentionally leaves her young son, Kevin, behind on a family vacation. He then cleverly defends their house from burglars, while she frantically tries to get back to him. It’s one of her more grounded roles, though she still portrays a mother understandably stressed and overwhelmed. (You can stream it on Disney+.)

Entertainment & Arts

Following Catherine O’Hara’s passing on Friday at the age of 71, stars like Macaulay Culkin and Pedro Pascal shared heartfelt tributes.

Jan. 30, 2026

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ Sally (1993)

Though we never saw her on screen, Catherine O’Hara was the unforgettable voice of Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas. In the spooky world of Halloween Town, Sally was unique – she appreciated beauty and understood that the magic of Christmas couldn’t be copied. She became the most relatable character in the film, thanks to O’Hara’s performance, which gave so much depth to the charming, stitched-together rag doll. (Watch on Disney+)

‘Waiting For Guffman,’ Sheila Albertson (1996)

Community theater is a great setting for funny stories, even when the play itself is serious. In the movie “Waiting For Guffman,” created by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara plays Sheila, a woman who juggles many roles. She’s a travel agent and an actor in her small town of Blaine, Missouri, and she’s helping to put on a musical about the town’s 150-year history, called “Red, White and Blaine.” O’Hara perfectly captures the awkwardness and charm of community theater, celebrating all its imperfections. (Available to rent or buy online)

‘Best in Show,’ Cookie Fleck (2000)

Catherine O’Hara was a frequent performer in Christopher Guest’s funny, documentary-style films, including “For Your Consideration.” “Best in Show” takes place in the highly competitive world of dog shows, focusing on a group of overbearing owners and their meticulously groomed dogs as they travel the competition circuit. Cookie Fleck and her awkward husband, Gerry (played by Eugene Levy), are the unlikely underdogs. Gerry is clumsy, and Cookie has a complicated past – she’s clearly out of his league. Despite their differences, they share a passion for Norwich Terriers, and their dog is named Winky. However, Cookie keeps running into former lovers during the competitions. One man tells her, “I’ve slept with a lot of waitresses, but you were the best.” Cookie replies, “You don’t forget the best.” (Available on demand)

‘Temple Grandin,’ Aunt Ann (2010)

Claire Danes starred as Temple Grandin, an autistic animal rights activist, in an HBO biopic. Frances O’Hara played Ann, Grandin’s aunt, offering her support. While known for comedy, O’Hara had already shown her dramatic range in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” and she delivered another strong performance here. Her work in the biopic earned her critical praise and an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a miniseries or movie. (Available on HBO Max)

‘Schitt’s Creek,’ Moira Rose (2015-2020)

When “Schitt’s Creek” debuted in 2015, it felt like a familiar pairing, with Catherine O’Hara again playing Eugene Levy’s wife. However, the show marked a fresh start for O’Hara, bringing her widespread success and critical praise as a leading actress on television. She played Moira Rose, a flamboyant socialite and former soap opera star who, after losing her family’s wealth, found herself living a much simpler life in a rural town. O’Hara brilliantly created a hilariously eccentric character in Moira, from her outrageous fashion choices and wigs to her obvious dislike of her new surroundings. The role ultimately earned O’Hara her first Emmy Award. (Watch on Prime Video)

‘The Studio,’ Patty Leigh (2025)

As a movie buff, I’m really enjoying Seth Rogen’s new series! It’s basically a love-hate story about Hollywood, and Catherine O’Hara is phenomenal as Patty Leigh, a studio boss who gets pushed out and replaced by her former protégé, Matt Remick (played by Rogen himself). She’s understandably bitter about it, seeing him as someone who took her place, but she’s still got connections and tries to stay involved, offering Matt some… let’s just say interesting advice from her lavish home. O’Hara totally captures how crazy and unpredictable the industry can be, and her character is reportedly inspired by Amy Pascal, the former head of Sony Pictures. Definitely worth checking out on Apple TV!

2026-01-31 03:33