Movie lovers are mourning the loss of iconic Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara who died at the age of 71, and looking back at her impressive filmography.
O’Hara died on Friday, according to TMZ. The two-time Emmy winner has left behind her fans, her husband, and two sons.
The Toronto-born actress has a wide range of films and shows under her belt from Home Alone to The Studio.
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The actress has left us with a legacy of her most notable movies and shows. In honour of her work in film, we compiled a list of her most notable projects.
SCTV
Second City Television (SCTV) (1976-1984) is a comedic tv series that follows a fictional, low-budget television station with eccentric staff and terrible programming.
O’Hara acted in that show for its entire run and appeared alongside other famous Canadian actors like John Candy, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis and Martin Short.
Beetlejuice
In Beetlejuice (1988), Catherine O’Hara plays Delia Deetz, an eccentric and pretentious artist who moves from New York City to a small town in Connecticut with her husband and stepdaughter. After discovering their new home is haunted by the ghosts of a deceased couple, the family hires a mischievous “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice to drive the spirits away.
Home Alone series
Catherine O’Hara has also been in two of the Home Alone movies, playing the role of Kate, Kevin’s mother. In the first Home Alone (1990), the show follows an eight-year-old troublemaker who is accidentally left at home when his family goes on vacation during Christmas, and must fend off home burglars.
In the second, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York(1992), the story follows Kevin once again being separated from his family when he accidentally boards a plane to New York City instead of Miami. On that trip, he runs into the same burglars – now trying to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve.
In both these movies, she acts alongside her longtime colleague and friend, the late Canadian actor John Candy.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
In Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Catherine O’Hara voiced two roles: Sally, the stitched rag doll and love interest of Jack Skellington, and Shock, one of the three trick-or-treaters who serve Oogie Boogie. The stop-motion movie centers on Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town – and tries to incorporate it into his hometown.
Best in Show
Best in Show (2000) offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of dog shows through the eyes of dog owners. She’s in this movie with Canadian actor Eugene Levy.
Elemental
O’Hara was the voice of Brook, the mother of the water character Wade, in the Disney and Pixar film Elemental (2023).
The film explores a city where fire, water, earth, and air coexist, focusing on whether romance is possible between fire and water.
Schitt’s Creek
Catherine O’Hara played mother Moira Rose in the popular sitcom Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020). In this show, she and her family moved to a small town, Schitt’s Creek, after becoming bankrupt when their business manager embezzled all their money.
