Catherine Anne O’Hara is a distinguished actress, talented writer, and vibrant singer. Widely regarded as one of Canada’s most iconic comedic actresses, she is best known for her television roles in SCTV (1976–1979, 1981–1983) and Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020), as well as her performances in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). She has also collaborated extensively with director Christopher Guest on a series of critically acclaimed mockumentaries. More on torontoski.
O’Hara is the recipient of numerous awards, including an Emmy, Golden Globe, Gemini, Genie, and multiple Canadian Screen Awards. She has been honoured as an Officer of the Order of Canada and is a member of Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 2021, she received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement.
Childhood and Early Career
Catherine O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, specifically in the Etobicoke suburb. She grew up in a large family with six siblings and attended Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute, where her classmates included future comedian Robin Duke. After high school, O’Hara worked as a waitress at Toronto’s The Second City Theatre, eventually becoming an understudy for Gilda Radner. When Radner left the troupe in 1974, O’Hara joined the main cast.
In 1975, O’Hara began appearing in CBC television projects such as Coming Up Rosie (alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Candy), The Wayne and Shuster Show, and SCTV (1976–1979, 1981–1983). She quickly established herself as a standout comedic performer, thanks to her versatile acting and writing abilities.
In 1976, O’Hara became part of the original cast of SCTV, where she showcased her comedic prowess through memorable characters, including:
- Lola Heatherton, a drunken and forgotten chanteuse inspired by sex symbol Lola Falana.
- Dusty Towne, a clueless comedienne.
- Spot-on celebrity impersonations, including Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Taylor, and the unflappable Katharine Hepburn.
O’Hara impressed audiences and critics alike with her remarkable ability to embody a diverse range of characters. She demonstrated mastery of physical comedy while bringing emotional depth to her parodies.
In 1980, O’Hara briefly left SCTV to join Saturday Night Live. However, she departed after just a week without appearing in an episode. She returned to SCTV in 1981, solidifying her status as a comedic icon.
Film Career: From Beetlejuice to Home Alone
After SCTV, O’Hara appeared in films such as Rock & Rule (1983), After Hours (1985), and Heartburn (1986), co-starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep (the subject of one of her most memorable SCTV parodies). She achieved widespread fame for her role as Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988).
O’Hara’s career reached new heights with her portrayal of Kate McCallister, the mother of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), in the beloved holiday classic Home Alone (1990). Directed by Chris Columbus, the film grossed nearly $500 million worldwide and became a holiday tradition for millions. She reprised her role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).
O’Hara’s work with Christopher Guest on films such as Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006) showcased her comedic brilliance. These mockumentary-style films heavily relied on improvisation, allowing O’Hara to shine alongside fellow SCTV alum Eugene Levy.
In Best in Show, O’Hara played half of a terrier-obsessed couple, while in A Mighty Wind, she portrayed a former folk musician opposite Levy. Their performance of “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” at the 2004 Oscars remains iconic.
O’Hara earned acclaim for her portrayal of Marilyn Hack, an aging actress chasing an Oscar nomination, in For Your Consideration. Critics praised her ability to balance satire with vulnerability, and The Toronto Star called her performance “brilliantly nuanced.”
Her other notable films include:
- Dick Tracy (1990)
- Wyatt Earp (1994)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) with Jim Carrey
- Penelope (2006)
- Temple Grandin (2010), which earned her an Emmy nomination.
She has also lent her voice to animated films like Chicken Little (2005), Monster House (2006), and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Frankenweenie (2012).
Beyond Acting
Catherine O’Hara is also a talented singer and songwriter. She contributed to the Grammy-nominated A Mighty Wind album, wrote songs for the 1985 TV special The Last Polka featuring John Candy, and performed on the The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack.
Personal Life
O’Hara met her husband, production designer Bo Welch, on the set of Beetlejuice. The couple married in 1992 and have two sons, Matthew and Luke. Her younger sister, Mary Margaret O’Hara, is a singer-songwriter.
Sources: