A Fond Farewell to a Great Comic Force, Catherine O'Hara

                A superb comic presence who made a lasting mark in films and television, the lovely and talented Catherine O’Hara passed on January 30^th at age 71. Born in Toronto, O’Hara rose to fame as part of the legendary SCTV troupe in the 1970s and 1980s alongside the likes of John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin and Rick Moranis. Winning an Emmy for writing on the show, O’Hara would move on to extensive work in films on t.v. with a big-screen debut in 1980’s Nothing Personal leading to a rewarding career in many key movies of the next several decades, perhaps most famously as the beset mother in the Home Alone franchise, ensuing O’Hara ongoing recognition with the public, specifically every holiday season, while also shining in efforts such as Beetlejuice, A Nightmare Before Christmas and perhaps most indelibly as a standout performer in a series of Christopher Guest mocumentaries, including Waiting For Guffman, Best in Show, A Might Wind and For Your Consideration.

                In these sage satires, O’Hara manages to remain relatable and real while deftly mixing a wild comic sensibility with a more serene, reflective countenance, lending heart and humanity to proceedings, specifically in her incisive, touching work in Mighty Wind. Following this memorable effort, O’Hara would again find humor and pathos in her showcase role in 2006’s Consideration, which traces the severe turnaround in the life of Marilyn Hack, an earnest, largely unknown actor in small scale movies who faces a possible surge in her career after the media targets her as a potential Oscar nominee for her newest drama. How O’Hara carefully illustrates the changes in Marilyn’s mindset in ways that are both funny and moving while managing a truly imposing character arch leaves a viewer in awe of her amazing gift as a thespian. During a Supporting Actress Blogathon that ran for several years at the time by the wonderful blogger Stinky Lulu, wherein before the Oscar nominations bloggers submitted overviews of standout work that should be noticed, for 2006 this author aptly picked O’Hara’s outstanding Consideration work for inclusion (read about that here), and it’s a shame she didn’t gain more attention for this sublime performance by the Academy, although major critics did tip their hats to her, including wins from The National Board of Review and The Kansas City Film Critics, among others.

                 O’Hara continued to be a major player in comedy, witnessing a late-career uptick in popularity and critical notice, winning another Emmy in 2020 for Schitt’s Creek (appearing again with Levy), and in films making a major impression in a big 2024 hit, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and finishing her television career on a high note with Emmy-nominated work in The Studio. A knowing, bemused, graceful figure in entertainment, the substantial wit and style of Catherine O’Hara will be missed by the multitude of fans who have marveled over her exceptional talent for decades. R.I.P. to a true comic original, Catherine O’Hara.