Last week, comedy legend Catherine O’Hara, best known for her roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone,’ passed away at the age of 71.
Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1954, O’Hara got her first acting gig portraying the Virgin Mary in a Nativity play. After graduating from high school, she began working at “The Second City Theater” in Toronto as a waitress.
In her time as a waitress. O’Hara watched all-time talents, such as Dan Akroyd and Joe Flaherty. After an unsuccessful first audition, Catherine joined the company in 1974, sharing the stage with Eugene Levy.
When the theater began its own television program in 1976, titled “Second City Television,” O’Hara became a staple of the show. Although O’Hara saw success on the show, it was unable to provide a consistent paycheck for the young star.
In a break from filming in 1981, O’Hara was asked to be on the legendary program “Saturday Night Live,” to which she agreed but was unable to follow through on due to a restart in filming for “Second City Television.”
Ultimately, “Second City Television” would end in 1984, freeing up time for the starlet to pursue other opportunities. O’Hara made her film debut in the 1980 film “Double Negative.”
After appearing in two other films, in 1988, O’Hara secured a role in the 1988 classic “Beetlejuice.” Continuing her success, Catherine was cast as the mother of Macaulay Culkin in “Home Alone.” Both films would go on to feature sequels, in which O’Hara reprised her roles in “Home Alone 2” in 1992 and “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” in 2024.
The actress’s most recent success was with the television show “Schitt’s Creek,” which was broadcast in Canada and became a household name when it was made available on Netflix.
Throughout her storied career, Catherine O’Hara received multiple Emmys, an SAG Award, and a Golden Globe.
Rest in peace!
