What you need to know
Saturday Night Live paid tribute to Catherine O’Hara with a touching tribute following her death.
On the Jan. 31 episode of the late-night comedy sketch series hosted by Alexander Skarsgard and featuring musical guest Cardi B, a tribute card to the actress appeared on screen just before the curtain call.
O’Hara, who passed away on Friday, January 30, at the age of 71 due to a “temporary illness,” was hired as a cast member on SNL Season 6, but only lived for a week.
She resigned before appearing in a single episode of that season, which aired from 1980 to 1981, allowing her to continue appearing as a cast member on the Canadian comedy sketch show SCTV.
O’Hara returned to SNL’s Studio 8H in later years, making a cameo appearance in an October 1998 episode and hosting in April 1991 and October 1992.
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.
NBC
O’Hara was best known for her roles in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone, as well as Christopher Guest mockumentaries such as Best in Show.
She also appeared in several television shows, including Schitt’s Creek, which won an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award.
PEOPLE Puzzler Crossword is here! How fast can you solve it? Play now!
Shortly after O’Hara’s death was announced, a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson told PEOPLE that they received a call at 4:48 a.m. on January 30 from an “anonymous female, approximately 70 years old,” at O’Hara’s home address. The woman believed to be the lead actress was taken to a hospital in “serious condition.”
According to LAFD dispatch audio, the person in distress at the scene was having “difficulty breathing.”
Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photobank (via Getty)
O’Hara spoke to PEOPLE about her decision to leave SNL early in 2014, recalling that when she heard the news that SCTV would be appearing on the show next season, she felt she had to stay on the show.
“Basically, I said, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I have to go (comedy) with my family,'” the mother of two recalled saying to people working behind the scenes at SNL.
SCTV ran from 1976 to 1984 and was an offshoot of Toronto’s famous comedy troupe Second City, which was started by the late comedian Gilda Radner (who eventually moved from Second City to SNL).
Looking back, O’Hara told PEOPLE she was “stupid” for not waiting longer to see if SCTV would air.
Saturday Night Live will return on February 28th, with Heat Rivalry’s Conor Storey hosting and Mumford & Sons as musical guests.
