The world has lost a beloved member this past week. She was an actress, comedian, writer, and star. But more importantly, she was a mother to many, a smile in times of despair, and a heart to care. Catherine O’Hara left a legacy for all female actresses. From 1975 to 2026, Catherine built an industry of her own and paved the way for all women. So, as we mourn the death of a fallen star, we must remember her life as a celebration of her legacy and impact rather than an obituary.
In the late 70’s, O’Hara made her debut role on the sketch comedy The Second City. Catherine was just 22 years old when she began her path to fame. During her time on the show, she took on several roles, such as washed-up lounge singer Lola Heatherton, based on Lola Falana, and clueless comedian Dusty Towne (The Canadian Encyclopedia 2013). O’Hara also performed several iconic celebrity impressions like Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Taylor, and a deadpan Katherine Hepburn. This sketch comedy helped jumpstart O’Hara’s career, and she kept her foot on the gas.
After leaving The Second City in 1980, Catherine picked up a role in the movie Nothing Personal. This began her ever-enduring film career. Since then, O’Hara has acted in over fifty-four films (IMBD.Com). In 1985, she landed one of her first more notable films After Hours where she was cast as the role of Gail. Shortly after that, she was cast in one of her most iconic films, Beetlejuice. Catherine was Delia Deetz, the mother of the main character, Lydia Deetz. This role was one of the first O’Hara could truly showcase her motherly and mad skillsets.
Catherine appeared in several other movies and television series after that, such as Betsy’s Wedding and Trying Times. It was not until 1990 that she became America’s mother, and she was cast as the iconic Kate McAlister in the Christmas classic Home Alone. The popularity, nostalgia, and significance of Home Alone were what really helped O’Hara touch the hearts of all generations. Due to the fact that Home Alone is arguably one of the best Christmas movies ever made, O’Hara continues to be watched and remembered by millions every year. O’Hara did not stop at just television series and movies. She was even in an iconic claymation cartoon that also happens to be festive. Bet you can not guess what it is… If you guessed The Nightmare Before Christmas, you would be correct! That is right, Catherine voiced none other than Sally in the Tim Burton holiday classic. That was not her only animated role; she also voiced a character in the 2019 Adams Family animation.
O’Hara’s iconic roles did not just stop at retro classics, though. She took on another iconic motherly role in the television series Schitt’s Creek. O’Hara was a part of six seasons of the sitcom, beginning in 2015 and ending in 2020. Through the sitcom, she became known as Moira Rose, an eccentric, dramatic, and flamboyant character that Americans came to love. This role really cemented her presence in the industry and proved that she still “had it.”
I could name every role that Catherine played, every interview she was in, and every classic she was a part of. But Catherine O’Hara was more than her roles. She was the charismatic, witty, and kind woman beneath the roles. Though she will be remembered by many names, we can remember her as one thing: a star. A star for comedians, actors, and most importantly, for women. No matter what career or industry you choose to pursue, I hope you choose to go after it as Catherine did.
