Yes, Catherine O’Hara is in ‘Home Alone’: Here’s her fab filmography
Catherine O’Hara has been trending all over for her Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as the dramatic Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. For those who aren’t aware, O’Hara has a strong career that has spanned several decades. She has starred in classic comedy films from both the 80s & 90s.
From live-action to animation, odds are you’ve come across O’Hara in some entertainment medium. If you love Schitt’s Creek but don’t know much about Catherine O’Hara, here’s a look at her prestigious filmography.
Home Alone & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Arguably her most famous role is as Kate McCallister, the mother who lived every parent’s worst nightmare after she went on vacation and left Kevin home alone. She gives a great performance in both of these movies as a determined mother who will do anything in her power to get back to her son.
With a massive family living in the same house, it’s no wonder Kate is overstressed in these movies. In one memorable scene, O’Hara and comedy legend John Candy work well off each other in the first Home Alone. Kate navigates her way home before Christmas and has to listen to Candy’s character recount leaving his child in a funeral parlor, completely deadpan (pun intended).
Plus, O’Hara gives audiences the classic “KEVIN” shriek when she realizes she left Kevin alone. Twice.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Another holiday classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is an amazing & inventive stop-motion animated film about what happens when Halloween & Christmas collide. O’Hara plays Sally, a stitched-together doll brought to life by an overprotective inventor. Sally is in love with Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king, and is the only one who warns Jack of the potential dangers of taking over Christmas.
O’Hara brings this character to life, providing a vocal performance of a caring & courageous girl who wants to be more independent than she is. Sally even has her own musical number which O’Hara sings pretty well.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice is a classic horror-comedy by director Tim Burton with Michael Keaton as the titular character. O’Hara plays Delia, one of the prospective buyers of a house haunted by two ghosts, played by Geena Davis & Alec Baldwin, who want to keep the house for themselves.
O’Hara gives a great comedic performance, especially during the “Banana Boat Song” scene at the end where she becomes possessed. She does a phenomenal job of selling the idea she can’t control her actions while also being goofy & exaggerating her movements.
After Hours
After Hours is a 1985 comedy from director Martin Scorsese. O’Hara has a small role but is memorable in the role she has. It’s one of her earliest roles but shows her impressive comedic chops. Funnily enough, John Heard, who played O’Hara’s husband in the Home Alone movies also appears in the film as a bartender.
Best in Show
Best in Show gives a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a successful dog show and the ridiculous owners of the show dogs. O’Hara plays Cookie Fleck, a terrier owner who sings about the perks of owning the breed. Eugene Levy plays her husband Gerry, the same actor who plays her husband in Schitt’s Creek.
Best in Show has a tremendous cast and O’Hara fits right in with everyone else. She has lots of hilarious lines. Like in Schitt’s Creek, she & Levy have tremendous chemistry with each other.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
In Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (the 2005 Nickelodeon movie, not the Netflix show), O’Hara plays Justice Strauss, the lovely neighbor of the evil & mischievous Count Olaf. Many may forget she’s in this movie as Jim Carrey as Count Olaf is easily the most memorable part of this movie. Even the great Meryl Streep can’t overshadow Carrey’s hilarious performance.
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Catherine O’Hara has had a tremendous career in some of the most iconic comedy movies of all time. While Schitt’s Creek has ended, we look forward to seeing the next role O’Hara lands.
