Catherine O’Hara, Beloved Actress of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Beetlejuice,’ Dies at 71
A celebrated career spanning decades has come to a close with the passing of Catherine O’Hara, confirmed by her manager to people magazine. She was 71. O’Hara is survived by her husband,Bo Welch,and their two children.
A Legacy of Versatility
Catherine O’Hara was a Canadian actress renowned for her unusual versatility, seamlessly navigating film, television, and theater throughout her decades-long career.From her memorable portrayal of Kate McCallister in Home Alone to the now-iconic Moira Rose in Schitt’s creek, she consistently brought a unique blend of eccentricity and humanity to her characters.
O’Hara’s filmography boasts a remarkable range of cult classics and mainstream successes, including The Studio, The Last of us, Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. She forged a particularly fruitful and beloved collaboration with Christopher Guest, starring in his signature mockumentaries such as Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty wind.
Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Born on March 4,1954,O’Hara grew up in a suburb of Toronto within a large Catholic family of Irish descent. Her path to acting began somewhat serendipitously. After graduating high school, she worked as a waitress at Second City Theater in Toronto before successfully auditioning and joining the company in 1974. Her family’s connection to Gilda Radner, a founding member of Saturday Night Live, also played a role in introducing her to the world of improvisation.
The Power of Improvisation
Improvisation remained a cornerstone of O’Hara’s artistic approach. In a September 2024 interview with ELLE Canada, she described it as “liberating,” emphasizing its ability to draw inspiration from life experiences and the energy of her collaborators. “I love to surround myself with vrey talented people and let them influence me,” she stated.
A pivotal role in ‘Beetlejuice’
The role of Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s 1988 film Beetlejuice marked a important turning point in her career. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of audience reception, she explained in the same ELLE Canada interview, “You can never predict how something will be received… It’s the magical and scary part at the same time.But if you work with people who make every day creative and inspiring, then anything can happen.”
The Enduring Partnership with Eugene Levy
Her artistic partnership with Eugene Levy proved to be one of the most enduring and impactful of her career. When Levy and his son, Dan, presented her with Schitt’s Creek, a series that aired from 2015 to 2020, O’Hara could not have foreseen its cultural resonance. The series garnered her an Emmy Award in 2020 and cemented her place in contemporary pop culture. “We did it for us,” she said, “And that’s the beauty of it: you never know what will really touch the audience.”
Looking Ahead
Even in 2024, at the age of seventy, O’Hara expressed a remarkably optimistic outlook on the future, envisioning at least another twenty years filled with challenges rather than slowdown. This forward-looking viewpoint characterized her entire career and stands as a testament to her enduring spirit.
