The Entertainment World Mourns a Loss

Another significant figure in the entertainment industry has passed away.

Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress, died on January 30th at 71. According to her agency, CAA, she passed away at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness.

O’Hara’s career began in sketch comedy as a cast member on the Canadian series SCTV, where she won her first Emmy for writing.

She later starred in films like Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and featured prominently in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries. Her career saw a revival with the hit series Schitt’s Creek, which earned her an Emmy for acting. Notably, in 2025, she will be remembered for her roles in The Last of Us and Studio, both of which received Emmy nominations.

While SCTV isn’t currently available for streaming, here are some other O’Hara projects to explore and honor her remarkable life and work.

Iconic Roles

In Beetlejuice, O’Hara played Delia Dietz, Lydia’s artistic stepmother, marking the start of her notable collaborations with Tim Burton. She would reprise this role in the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

For many, Home Alone remains a cherished holiday classic. O’Hara portrayed Kate McAllister, the mother who inadvertently leaves her son Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) behind during a family trip to Paris. She returned for the sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where Kevin once again finds himself on his own.

Additionally, O’Hara provided her voice for the beloved character Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas, another classic that has remained popular.

In one of her first collaborations with director Christopher Guest, O’Hara played Sheila Albertson in Waiting for Guffman, which humorously depicted the world of amateur performers hoping for big breaks.

In Best in Show, O’Hara and her co-star Eugene Levy played a quirky couple involved in a dog show competition, showcasing her talent for comedy and her chemistry with Levy.

Another notable performance came in Orange County, where she again portrayed a mother, navigating family chaos with her on-screen children played by Colin Hanks and Jack Black.

She partnered with Guest once more in A Mighty Wind, telling the story of musicians reuniting for a concert, and again played opposite Levy as a once-famous performing couple.

In For Your Consideration, O’Hara starred as an actress involved in an awards season drama, wrapped in rumors of potential recognition for their film.

Her latter role as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek earned O’Hara her first acting Emmy and became a defining role. Moira, a wealthy matriarch who moved to a small town, is known for her unique style and eccentric phrases, endearing her to both audiences and critics alike.

O’Hara was recently featured in a documentary reflecting on her life and her close friendship with John Candy, with whom she shared cherished memories. She expressed her grief at his passing in 1994, reminiscing about their time together.

In 2025, she received two Emmy nominations, one for her guest role in The Last of Us, where she played Joel’s therapist, and another for her performance in Studio, where she took on the role of Patty, a mentor in the film industry satire.

As the Actor Awards approach, O’Hara remains a beloved figure, remembered for her contributions to the world of entertainment.