RIP Catherine O'Hara

[Bubbler]

Brilliant comedian. Without knowing it, she played my (very brief) step-mom to a tee in “Beetlejuice”. RIP.

 

[cyclingwriter2]

My memories:

— i discovered sctv in the late 1980s as a preteen and developed a huge crush on here…not realizing she was the “evil” stepmom in beetle juice.

— she likely did one of my favorite opening monologues in SNL history where she roasts her sister all while wearing an arrow in her skull.

 

[micropolitan guy]

She was wonderful in "A Mighty Wind," a highly-unappreciated movie.

 

[HanSenSE]

Let's drink a toast to all those on radio and TV who are being very careful when saying "Schitt's Creek."

 

[mpcincal]

Gone too soon.

Catherine O'Hara Dead at 71

She could have died at 150, and it still would have been too soon.

This news reminds me again of how I tried to get my parents to let me stay up on Friday night so I could see SCTV, which came on after Johnny Carson where I lived. It seemed to me like every sketch hit, or at least didn't have me going "what the heck was that?" like some of the sketches on SNL during the 80s and even in the early days.

This was one SCTV sketch I always liked with O'Hara and Rick Moranis:



I also liked her in a rare dramatic role as the Earp sister-in-law who would not take any crap from the title character in Kevin Costner's "Wyatt Earp."

 

[qtlaw]

Dammit such a believable actor in so many roles. So many laughs, thank you Ms O’Hara.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Also, Kiss at the End of the Rainbow is a legitimately great song.

Exactly. They needed to write a song for the film that was plausible as a 1960s pop culture phenomenon and they absolutely nailed it.

 

[nietsroob17]

Some more reactions, but I'm lamenting the eventual reaction from Eugene Levy. Levy and O'Hara were so tied at the hips for decades -- especially with Schitt's Creek -- that he must be just flattened right now.

 

[Webster]

Bam Bam Funkhauser was hilarious, if not PC

 

[Spartan Squad]

I was a kid for Beetlejuice and Home Alone. I came of age for A Mighty Wind and Best in Show. And finally happily married to watch Schitt’s Creek. It’s just remarkable how she did different roles over so many years and just nailed it each time.

I’m really bummed she’s gone.

 

[cyclingwriter2]

Some more reactions, but I'm lamenting the eventual reaction from Eugene Levy. Levy and O'Hara were so tied at the hips for decades -- especially with Schitt's Creek -- that he must be just flattened right now.

Holy crap, I forgot how damn funny she was doing the Brooke Shields bit…but Flaherty’s Kirk Douglas stole it.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

"Sammy Maudlin, I want to bear your children!!"

 

[nietsroob17]

Also totally forgot that she did an episode of the UK version of "Whose Line..." in the season they did in the US, on the same set that would host the Drew Carey version.

This would've been after she did the "Home Alone" movies.

 

[Here me roar]

Moira Rose was almost perfect.

But I felt it deep in my bones that Kevin's mom died and I will feel it again when I watch Home Alone for the first time next Christmas season

 

[Deskgrunt50]

Also a small but memorable role in The Paper as Marissa Tomei’s wine-drinking friend at lunch. One of the things I read today talked about her skill of playing tipsy/drunk. Which was spot on.

 

[DanOregon]

It was really nice that she and the Levys were honored with Emmys for ****t's Creek. One, O'Hara did it as a favor to Dan, she took way below scale. She's also been one of those actresses who has been so good, for so long, yet never really was acknowledged by her peers. "For Your Consideration" was kind of spot on in that regard. Also received a lifetime achievement award last fall, so I kind of wonder if people "knew" her time was limited.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

I wish this included the segment when Letterman interviewed each filmmaker after their films aired. O'Hara came out in a retro A-line dress and heels, sat down and crossed her legs in a single gesture that was so very Audrey Hepburn-ish. My boyfriend at the time gasped and noted how he never noticed before how pretty she was. Yep. She was the start of funny ladies being allowed to be graceful and pretty.

My sister thinks Lucille Ball was gorgeous. I never did but I think it’s more because of those 50s styles than anything else. But you’re right. Andrea Martin was very attractive and always dressed up on talk shows. I felt she was compensating for being Edith Prickley

 

[nietsroob17]

 

[Here me roar]

Lucille Ball was gorgeous. Her characters were not. I think it was a combination of her hair, color and style, and those faces they was always making.

 

[dixiehack]

Lucille Ball was gorgeous. Her characters were not. I think it was a combination of her hair, color and style, and those faces they was always making.

View attachment 21837

This had to be in the running for worst statue ever. (Since replaced)