Catherine O’Hara began her career in the ’70s with Second City Television, better known as SCTV, a sketch show in which the Canadian American starred alongside fellow comedy greats like Eugene Levy, John Candy, Andrea Martin, and Harold Ramis. From there, O’Hara emerged as a breakout star in films like Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and several comedies directed by Christopher Guest, like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. 

In 2015, she took on one of her most iconic roles, former soap opera star Moira Rose, in the Canadian comedy Schitt’s Creek. Most recently, O’Hara was nominated for an Emmy for her performance as a producer in Seth Rogen’s comedy series The Studio. During the span of her more than 50-year career, O’Hara, who died on Jan. 30 at age 71, received two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. For more of the comedy legend’s timeless performances, read on. 

Best in Show

This mockumentary, directed by Christopher Guest, was co-written by Guest and O’Hara’s frequent co-star Eugene Levy. The film, which also features Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, and Parker Posey, documents a group of canine contestants and their owners attending the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show, a fictional competition in Philadelphia. O’Hara plays Cookie Fleck, who travels from Florida alongside her husband, Gerry, and their Norwich terrier, Winky. As they make their way to Philly, they encounter money troubles and confrontations with several of Cookie’s exes. 

Best in Show

1h 30m   PG-13   2000

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Waiting for Guffman

When eccentric director Corky St. Clair (Guest) invites a Broadway producer to attend the opening of his original musical in the small town of Blaine, Missouri, he endeavors to put on the best show possible. While his cast — including married travel agents Ron and Sheila (Fred Willard and O’Hara), dentist Dr. Pearl (Levy, O’Hara’s frequent co-star), and Dairy Queen employee Libby Mae (Posey) — is a bit strapped for talent, they make up for it with genuine enthusiasm. A series of mishaps forces Corky to make some dramatic last-minute changes, risking his big show. This mockumentary, directed by Guest and co-written by the director alongside Levy, is a spoof of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

Waiting for Guffman

1h 23m   R   1996

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For Your Consideration

Guest and Levy co-wrote this comedy, once again directed by Guest. The two co-star with O’Hara, who plays Marilyn Hack, a character actor starring in a low-budget period drama that supposedly begins garnering awards season chatter before it’s even finished filming. While Marilyn initially pretends she’s unaffected by the exciting news, she and her castmates — played by Posey, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Moynihan — eventually fall prey to the relentless rumor mill. For Your Consideration’s stacked cast also includes Coolidge, Willard, Lynch, John Krasinski, Sandra Oh, Richard Kind, and Ricky Gervais.

For Your Consideration

1h 26m   PG-13   2006

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A Mighty Wind

After their father — a legendary folk music producer — dies, three siblings (Bob Balaban, Don Lake, and Deborah Theaker) organize a memorial concert in his honor. But bringing his three most famous acts together proves more difficult than they anticipated, and the artists’ interpersonal issues threaten to endanger the entire performance. O’Hara and Levy co-star as a former couple whose dramatic breakup years before ended their shared music career as the duo Mitch & Mickey. Guest also directed this musical comedy, which he co-wrote with Levy, and which also stars their frequent collaborators like Posey, Lynch, McKean, Willard, and more.

A Mighty Wind

1h 31m   PG-13   2003

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Home Fries

Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson co-star in this comedy about two brothers, Dorian (Wilson) and Angus (Jake Busey), who concoct a plan to teach their cheating stepfather (Chris Ellis) a lesson. His mistress, Sally Jackson (Barrymore), is pregnant, and their mother, Beatrice (O’Hara), is furious. But when Dorian and Sally form a connection, their burgeoning romance sparks a showdown that results in family screaming matches, a chaotic Lamaze class, and a helicopter chase. Shelley Duvall and Daryl Mitchell also star in this movie directed by Dean Parisot.

Home Fries

1h 33m   PG-13   1998

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After Hours

O’Hara plays a disgruntled ice cream truck driver named Gail in this neo-noir black comedy directed by Martin Scorsese. It follows mild-mannered office drone Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), who suffers through a series of unfortunate events — including angering a vengeful cab driver, flooding a bathroom, and fleeing an angry mob — after he loses the last of his cash during a night out in Manhattan. Rosanna Arquette, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Linda Fiorentino, and Teri Garr co-star.

After Hours

1h 37m   R   1985

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Wyatt Earp

This biographical Western directed by Lawrence Kasdan stars Kevin Costner as the eponymous famed lawman, and follows him throughout his life, from his early years as a marshal to his part in the infamous showdown at the O.K. Corral. O’Hara joins the ensemble cast — which also includes Gene Hackman, Mark Harmon, Michael Madsen, Bill Pullman, and Dennis Quaid — as Allie Earp, one of Wyatt’s sisters-in-law. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography.

Wyatt Earp

3h 10m   PG-13   1994

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Pain Hustlers

Chris Evans and Emily Blunt co-star in this movie, based on a true story, by director David Yates about two reps, Liza (Blunt) and Pete (Evans), who work for a sketchy pharmaceutical company. While they’re financially successful, Liza grows disillusioned when she realizes the devastation the company is causing as its CEO, Dr. Neel (Andy Garcia), constantly pushes for larger gains. O’Hara plays Liza’s money-hungry mother, Jackie, who becomes entangled with Neel and the company at large.

Pain Hustlers

2h 4m   R   2023

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The Wild Robot

O’Hara voices Pinktail, a loving but overextended mother possum to many, many rambunctious children in this animated sci-fi movie based on Peter Brown’s 2016 novel. The film follows Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot stranded alone on a remote island until she accidentally adopts a baby goose, Brightbill (Kit Connor). While the local animals are initially afraid of Roz, she becomes their protector when an unforeseen enemy threatens to destroy their peaceful way of life. The film also features the voices of Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, and Matt Berry.

The Wild Robot

1h 41m   PG

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Over the Hedge

When a charming raccoon (voiced by Bruce Willis) accidentally destroys a hibernating bear’s (Nick Nolte) stockpiled food, he’s forced to replace it by any means necessary. So he recruits a crew of woodland animals to help him pilfer food from a nearby suburban neighborhood. Shenanigans ensue as they go up against security systems, a determined exterminator (Thomas Haden Church), and — maybe worst of all — the president of the local homeowner’s association (Allison Janney). O’Hara and Levy voice a porcupine couple, Penny and Lou, who are enthusiastic about their suburban adventure and encourage their kids to take in the wonderful world around them. Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, and William Shatner also provide voices.

Over the Hedge

1h 23m   PG   2006

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Extinct

This animated sci-fi comedy stars Rachel Bloom and Adam Devine as siblings Op and Ed, two members of a species called Flummels, small, fluffy creatures native to the Galápagos Islands. Right before famed naturalist Charles Darwin arrives in 1835, the siblings accidentally teleport to modern-day Shanghai, where they learn that their species was wiped out by a volcano, making them the last of their kind. As they adventure through time looking for a place to call home, they befriend the Extinctables, a team of extinct animals. O’Hara voices one of them, a mammal of the genus Macrauchenia named Alma. Zazie Beetz, Ken Jeong, Benedict Wong, Jim Jefferies, Reggie Watts, and more also star.

Extinct

1h 25m   TV-Y7   2021

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