Talented comedian and star of both film and television, Catherine O'Hara, passed away at the age of 71, on January 30, leaving millions of fans shattered. According to several media reports, she died due to a "brief illness". She is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, who has worked as Tim Burton's longtime production designer, and their two children.
With her impeccable performances, O'Hara leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a performer. Her perfect comedic timing, amazing physical comedy and unique line readings have kept audiences laughing for decades.
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As the beloved Moira Rose bid adieu after ruling the screens for several decades, here is a look at some of her best performances that will never fail to tickle our funny bones.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" is a classic that showcases just how weird Catherine O'Hara can be on screen.
In this story about a haunted house that keeps its former residents, O'Hara plays Delia Deetz, the wife of Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones) and the mother of the moody teenager Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder). After the Deetz family moves into a mansion where Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) still linger as ghosts, the Maitlands begin to scare the Deetzes in an effort to drive them out.
Keaton's Beetlejuice, whose real name is "Betelgeuse," is a mischievous spirit that the Maitlands call on to make the Deetz family leave the house. While that plot is entertaining, O'Hara's portrayal of the intriguing artist Delia truly stands out. There's a reason O'Hara came back for the sequel "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", proving she is a vital part of this fantastic cast.
Home Alone
In this 1990 Christmas movie "Home Alone", she plays the mother of an 8-year-old kid. Even though she only had a few appearances on-screen, she was able to connect with an audience around the world. She is clearly capable of drawing emotion from people in all corners of the globe. Although this was not a large role for her as an actor, it is certainly one of her greatest acting performances.
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Waiting for Guffman
Catherine O'Hara's Chinese dinner scene in Waiting for Guffman is a true classic. In the 1996 mockumentary comedy, she played Sheila Albertson, a real estate agent and an amateur actor.
The Studio
Who would have thought this would be Catherine O'Hara's last screen role? The legendary star received widespread praise for her performance in the award-winning The Studio. In the show, O'Hara played Patty Leigh in Apple TV+'s series.
Schitt's Creek
On Dan Levy's series, Catherine O'Hara stars as Moira Rose, a soap opera diva with a huge collection of wigs. Moira and her wealthy family are suddenly devastated when they lose their fortune. Along with her husband, son and daughter, Moira deals with moving from their mansion into a small town called Schitt's Creek. Oddly enough, Schitt's Creek was bought by Moira's husband as a gag gift to their son.
Catherine O'Hara won an Emmy award for her portrayal of Moira Rose. O'Hara's extraordinary line deliveries (she has a unique way of saying "baby" that really stands out), her extraordinary costume design and an unbelievably large number of wigs make her portrayal of Moira Rose one for the ages. O'Hara, who has always been an outstanding performer, can elevate any project that features her, but "Schitt's Creek" provided her with the role of a lifetime.
