Catherine O'Hara

Catherine O’Hara – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and multifaceted career of Catherine O’Hara — Canadian-American actress, comedian, and writer. Explore her early life, acting work (from SCTV to Schitt’s Creek), her influence, and memorable quotes revealing her wit and philosophy.

Introduction

Catherine Anne O’Hara (born March 4, 1954) is a Canadian-American actress, comedian, and screenwriter whose sharp wit, chameleonic performances, and fearless comic timing have made her one of the most beloved figures in modern comedy and television. From her early days in sketch comedy to her iconic roles in film and television, O’Hara’s work spans decades and genres. Her journey reflects not only her talent, but resilience, reinvention, and the power of humor to reveal deeper truths.

Early Life and Family

Catherine O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Her sister, Mary Margaret O’Hara, is a singer-songwriter and musician, indicating that creative inclination ran in the family.

O’Hara attended Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute in Toronto.

Youth and Formation

As a young person, O’Hara was fascinated by sketch shows, improvisation, and character performance. The Second City troupe in Toronto in the mid-1970s, working in improvisation and sketch comedy. Saturday Night Live.

The training she acquired in improvisation, quick thinking, character work, and comic timing became foundational for her later career.

Career and Achievements

Catherine O’Hara’s career weaves between sketch comedy, film roles, dramatic parts, and television lead roles.

Sketch Comedy & SCTV (1976–1984)

Her first major platform was SCTV (Second City Television), a Canadian sketch comedy series that ran from 1976 to 1984. SCTV, she developed numerous characters and built her reputation for comedic versatility, impersonation, and sharp satire. SCTV for its full run.

During SCTV’s run, O’Hara expanded her voice-acting work and began to be recognized beyond Canadian shores.

Transition to Film & Supporting Roles

In the 1980s onward, O’Hara increasingly moved into film roles. She appeared in After Hours (1985), Heartburn (1986), and Beetlejuice (1988). Beetlejuice is often cited as one of her standout film performances, blending eccentricity, pathos, and dark humor.

She also appeared in family favorites like Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).

O’Hara continued to take on supporting roles in comedic and dramatic films and voice roles in animation and TV projects, balancing commercial films with more character-driven work.

Collaborations with Christopher Guest, Mockumentary Comedy

O’Hara has been a recurring figure in the ensemble-mockumentary films of Christopher Guest, including Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Waiting for Guffman, and For Your Consideration.

Notably, in A Mighty Wind, she also contributed musically and in song, demonstrating her creative range.

Schitt’s Creek & Leading Role Revival

In 2015, O’Hara took on a leading role as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek, created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy.

For her work on Schitt’s Creek, she collected numerous awards and nominations. Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2020), a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics’ Choice Television Award.

Her Moira Rose persona is inseparable from her legacy: glamorous wigs, ostentatious vocabularies, dramatic turns, and theatricality, all embodying her fearless commitment to character.

Awards & Recognition

O’Hara’s accolades include:

• Two Primetime Emmy Awards

• A Golden Globe Award

• Screen Actors Guild Awards

• Many other awards and nominations across her career.

• In 2023, she was named the Icon Award by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television at the Canadian Screen Awards.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Pioneering Canadian Comedy Export: O’Hara helped shape the international reputation of Canadian sketch and improv comedy through SCTV, which influenced sketch comedy in the U.S. and beyond.

• Resurgence in Later Career: After decades in supporting roles, her turn as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek is a striking example of a late-career renaissance, showing that creative reinvention is possible at any stage.

• Character as a Creative Tool: O’Hara’s belief in fully inhabiting characters—even the outrageous ones—has influenced how comedic actors approach risk and characterization in modern television and film.

• Balance of Comedy and Heart: Her roles often combine pathos, vulnerability, and humor. The emotional core she brings to even absurd roles has helped shift perceptions of what comedic performance can achieve.

Legacy and Influence

Catherine O’Hara’s influence ripples through comedy and acting:

• Many comedic actors cite her as an exemplar in blending improvisation, character depth, and comic timing.

• Her success with Schitt’s Creek has inspired showrunners to invest more in character-driven comedies with depth.

• Her willingness to evolve—from sketch comedy to character film work to TV lead—serves as a model for longevity.

• Her collaborations across generations (e.g. with Eugene Levy, Dan Levy) demonstrate how mentorship and continuity enrich entertainment.

In sum, O’Hara’s legacy is not just in memorable lines or iconic characters, but in showing how humor can be generous, compassionate, fearless, and full of emotional truth.

Personality and Talents

O’Hara is often described as warm, grounded, insightful, and fiercely committed to her craft. Her confidence grows over time: she has spoken about how maturity allows her to be braver in choices.

Her talents include:

• Improvisation & Sketch Work: Her formative work at The Second City laid a strong foundation in spontaneity, timing, and character flexibility.

• Character Work: O’Hara is adept at crafting fully realized, often flawed or exaggerated, characters—from Delia Deetz to Moira Rose.

• Writing & Creative Input: She has contributed to writing in projects (especially in ensemble formats) and shaped characters actively.

• Comedic Timing & Emotional Range: She is able to shift from absurd comedy to emotionally resonant moments, a skill rare in her field.

Her philosophy often shines through in interviews: she values truthfulness in performance, listening, contribution, and releases ego when serving the story.

Famous Quotes of Catherine O’Hara

Here are some notable quotes that reveal O’Hara’s humor, insight, and worldview:

“I think everyone is born with humor, but your life can beat it out of you, sadly, or you can be lucky enough to grow up in it.” “Why work alone if you don’t have to? It’s all give and take. It’s all about listening to others and contributing.” “I’m a Canadian Catholic woman, so I’m hardwired to apologize.” “I think the success of my work stems from being truthful.” “Night time really is the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep.” “Character roles definitely age better than your ingenues. You don’t get to keep doing that.” “I know. I’m lazy. But I made myself a New Years resolution that I would write myself something really special. Which means I have ’til December, right?” “You’ve got muscles and you use them everywhere else in your body when you want it. Why not your face?” “I’m pretty much a good Catholic girl at heart and I believe in family. I also have a basic belief that God takes care of me. … you can’t take anything that seriously.”

These quotes encapsulate her humility, love for collaboration, self-awareness, and her grounding in everyday truth.

Lessons from Catherine O’Hara

1. Stay true to your voice: O’Hara’s career shows the power of authenticity, rather than chasing trends or fitting molds.

2. Be a lifelong student: Her shift between formats—from sketch to film to television—demonstrates adaptability and the willingness to learn new forms.

3. Embrace risk & character over safety: She often takes bold, comedic, or odd roles—roles that challenge her and audiences.

4. Collaborate and listen: Her remarks about give-and-take and contribution point to humility in creative work.

5. Let humor carry deeper truths: The blend of comedy and emotional resonance in her roles teaches how humor can expose vulnerability and human complexity.

Conclusion

Catherine O’Hara’s life and work are a testament to comic fearlessness, reinvention, and the art of fully inhabiting character. From SCTV to Beetlejuice to Schitt’s Creek, she has left an indelible mark on comedy, television, and film. She shows that creative vitality need not fade with time—and that humor is a powerful lens through which we see ourselves and one another.