‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Actress Catherine O’Hara Dies at 71
Catherine O’Hara, Comedy Icon and Queer Favorite, Has Died at 71
Mark
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Catherine O’Hara, the legendary actor, writer, and comedian whose work shaped generations of comedy fans and earned her a permanent place in queer pop culture.
O’Hara died today at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, Deadline reports. She was 71.
Born in Toronto in 1954, O’Hara was raised in a bustling household as the second youngest of seven children. Her father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway, while her mother was a real estate agent. She first stepped onto a stage as a child, portraying the Virgin Mary in a Nativity play, an early spark that hinted at the performer she would become. After high school, O’Hara took a job waitressing at Toronto’s Second City Theatre, where she soaked up the comedy around her long before she was invited to join it, quietly laying the foundation for one of the most influential comedy careers of her generation. From SCTV to the Big Screen
From sketch comedy chaos to scene-stealing film roles and an all-time TV performance that became a cultural reset, O’Hara’s career was nothing short of iconic. She first broke out as part of the groundbreaking ensemble on Second City Television, where she helped define a sharp, absurdist style of comedy alongside future legends including John Candy, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, and Martin Short. Her characters, like lounge singer Lola Heatherton and Lorna Minnelli, remain cult classics.
O’Hara went on to become a film staple, appearing in beloved titles such as Beetlejuice, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, For Your Consideration, Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. Her collaborations with Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy defined an era of mockumentary comedy and earned her major critical acclaim, including a National Board of Review Award.
Canadian actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara attends the 1st Annual Movie Awards, held at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, 30th January 1991. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
Moira Rose and a Queer TV Legacy
For many LGBTQ+ fans, though, O’Hara’s most cherished role will always be Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek. As the wig-loving, vocabulary-flexing former soap star, O’Hara delivered one of the most celebrated comedy performances of the century. Her work on the series earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, a Critics’ Choice Award, and more, alongside castmates Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. Moira Rose became a queer icon almost instantly, equal parts camp, heart, and unapologetic self-expression.
Reflecting on the character and the representation of the show, O’Hara said it’s ridiculous that we live in a world that doesn’t know how to respect each other. “Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be,” she told Gay Times. “It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – MARCH 31: Best Lead Actress winner for ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Catherine O’Hara attends the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala held at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on March 31, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by GP Images/Getty Images)
Her Final Roles and Lasting Impact
More recently, O’Hara reprised Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, appeared in season two of The Last of Us, and starred in Apple TV+’s The Studio. Her performances continued to earn Emmy nominations right up until the end.
O’Hara is survived by her husband Bo Welch, her sons Matthew and Luke, and several siblings.
Catherine O’Hara didn’t just make us laugh. She gave us characters we saw ourselves in, quoted endlessly, dressed up as, and loved fiercely. Comedy will never look the same without her.
