The entertainment world mourns the loss of actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara, who has passed away at 71.
Many of her fans (including me) are heartbroken by the passing of this legend. O’Hara was one of those celebrities without any haters.
I’ve grown up watching her dazzle on both the small and silver screens. O’Hara has made me laugh and cry.
In honor of her life, let’s take a moment to enjoy her top five performances.
1. Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas
O’Hara’s voice made Sally come to life.
For many years, I didn’t realize O’Hara was in this holiday tale that I have watched year after year. Sally’s voice was gentle and ever so tender.
Just like the voice behind her, Sally was compassionate and deeply loyal to those she cared for.
2. Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
“Day-o, day-o / Daylight come, and me wan’ go home.”
O’Hara played Delia Deetz in an over-dramatic style, which is perfect because she was a self-absorbed artist.
The character was the best part of the second film, aside from the titular character. O’Hara was both ridiculous and captivating throughout the films.
The Banana Boat scene will always make me laugh.
3. Kate McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2
The holiday season isn’t complete if I haven’t heard O’Hara scream, “Kevin.”
Kate McCallister, although she forgot her kid twice, had a relentless determination to get back to him. O’Hara played the overwhelmed mother during Christmas and showcased her frantic comedic chops in the film, which would help her later in her career.
Kate represented the never-ending devotion of a mother’s love. This role is iconic, but it is not her best work.
4. Patty Leigh in The Studio
Patty Leigh is a studio executive who was recently fired as the studio head of Continental Studios. O’Hara shows the reality of working at the top of Hollywood and the aftermath.
At times, she is confident and professional, but she also makes quick remarks that hit the mark. The viewers’ first time meeting Patty in the show, she is an emotional wreck but quickly uses her vulnerability to manipulate the new studio head to get what she wants.
O’Hara plays this sadistic character with charm.
This role earned O’Hara multiple award nominations, but her best role is the one that brought home the trophies.
5. Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek
This was the role O’Hara was destined to play.
Moira Rose is a former soap opera star who still desperately clings to the over-dramatic theatrics. The show follows the Rose family as they lose their vast fortune and end up living in a motel in a town they bought as a gag gift.
Although living in a motel, Moira still dresses in luxury and has a wig assortment she likes to call her “Bébés.”
Moira is a terrible mother at the start of the show, but by the end, she improves a bit. O’Hara plays this self-absorbed character with a silver tongue to perfection.
I’ll let her character’s quotes speak for themselves:
“Let’s all go to bed and pray we don’t wake up.”
“I’m positively bedeviled with meetings, et cetera.”
“Oh, God. I’d kill for a good coma right now.”
“This wine is awful. Get me another glass.”
“You are bored, lethargic, and practically dripping with ennui.”
“If that’s not a cause for alcohol, I don’t know what is!”
O’Hara earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, both for her performance in the final season of the show.
Those wins perfectly capture what made Catherine O’Hara so special.
For many years, she didn’t get the praise she so rightfully deserved. It wasn’t until the end that we fully appreciated someone for everything they had done. Although I am saddened that she cannot continue in the role of Patty Leigh, I do know that she’ll live forever on screen.
I’ll still spend every Christmas with her, and when I need a laugh, Moira will always be there.
So this weekend, I recommend watching a film or show to cherish this legend.
