Catherine O’Hara has had a storied career as a comedian in film and television, from her start on the iconic sketch comedy series Second City Television to more recent hits like The Studio and Beetlejuice. After her death on Jan. 30, she left behind a long legacy of projects for all ages, from the kids who laughed on “Home Alone” to the families who loved her stealing scenes in Christopher Guest films.
O’Hara spoke to Variety last year about a particular type of character she enjoyed playing.
“I’ve played some delusional characters and it’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “Maybe I’m drawn to it because, while it’s true, we’re all delusional. We’re all going to die one day, but every day we pretend we’re not going to die. And it’s a joke to think you can control what other people think of you. You’ll never be able to control that, and that’s the reality. Maybe I like to take advantage of that. It’s a way we try to control ourselves.”
He also talked about the joy of collaboration between comedy-oriented performers.
“By collaborating, supporting each other, uplifting each other and being honest with each other, I’ve been fortunate to be careful about who I work with,” she said. “And you don’t always have a choice in these things. It depends on what opportunities are available. But I’m really lucky to work with some lovely, talented people who make my day-to-day work a good one, hard but fun.”
Relive her career through the photos below.
