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Catherine O'Hara

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Catherine O'Hara

Catherine Anne O'Hara (born March 4, 1954) is a Canadian and American actress, comedian, and screenwriter. She started her career in sketch and improvisational comedy in film and television before expanding her career taking dramatic roles. She has received several accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She started her career in the sketch comedy series Second City Television (1976–1984) where she won the Primetime Emmy Award. She gained acclaim acting in films such as After Hours (1985), Heartburn (1986), Beetlejuice (1988), Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). She collaborated with Christopher Guest acting in his mockumentary films Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). She also voiced roles in films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Chicken Little (2005), Over the Hedge (2006), Monster House (2006), Frankenweenie (2012), and Elemental (2023). She gained a career resurgence for her role as Moira Rose in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek (2015–2020), earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. She was previously Emmy-nominated for her portrayal of Temple Grandin's aunt in the HBO film Temple Grandin (2010). She also acted in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under (2003–2005), the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017–2018), the Apple TV+ comedy series The Studio (2025), and the HBO post-apocalyptic drama series The Last of Us (2025).

Infobox

Born
Catherine Anne O'Hara (1954-03-04) March 4, 1954 (age 71)Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Citizenship
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Occupations
Actresscomedianscreenwriter
Years active
1974–present
Spouse
mw- Bo Welch (m. 1992)
Children
2
Relatives
Mary Margaret O'Hara (sister)
Awards
Full list

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1980
Role(s)
Audrey
Role(s)
Judith
1983
Role(s)
Aunt Edith (voice)
1985
Role(s)
Gail
1986
Role(s)
Betty
1988
Role(s)
Delia Deetz
1990
Role(s)
Texie Garcia
Role(s)
Gloria Henner
Role(s)
Kate McCallister
Role(s)
Lexie
1992
Role(s)
Jessica Lodge
Notes
Internationally re-titled Paydirt
Role(s)
Kate McCallister
1993
Role(s)
Sally / Shock (voice)
1994
Role(s)
Susan
Role(s)
Allie Earp
Role(s)
April Simon
1995
Role(s)
Calamity Jane
1996
Role(s)
Sheila Albertson
Role(s)
Cathleen
1997
Role(s)
Mrs. Prysselius (voice)
1998
Role(s)
Beatrice Lever
1999
Role(s)
Sheena
Role(s)
Ludmilla (voice)
Notes
Direct-to-video
2000
Role(s)
Cookie Fleck
Role(s)
Lorna Mae Loon (voice)
Notes
Short film
2001
Role(s)
Connie Barker
2002
Role(s)
Cindy Beugler
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary
2003
Role(s)
Mickey Crabbe
2004
Role(s)
Christine Valco
2005
Role(s)
Lillian Rogan
Role(s)
Tina (voice)
2006
Role(s)
Penny (voice)
Role(s)
Mrs. Walters (voice)
Role(s)
Kata (voice)
Notes
Direct-to-video
Role(s)
Jessica Wilhern
Role(s)
Marilyn Heck
Role(s)
Rowena (voice)
Notes
Direct-to-video
2009
Role(s)
Gloria Farlander
Role(s)
Judith (voice)
2010
Role(s)
Mrs. Kornfeldt
2011
Role(s)
Madame Carlotta (voice)
2012
Role(s)
Susan Frankenstein / Gym Teacher / Weird Girl (voices)
2013
Role(s)
Melissa
2014
Role(s)
Old Marnie (voice)
2015
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary
2019
Role(s)
Grandma Frump (voice)
2020
Role(s)
Herself (voice)
Notes
Narrator; Movie attraction for World Showcase at Epcot at Disneyworld
2021
Role(s)
Alma (voice)
Back Home Again
Role(s)
Mayor Owl (voice)
Notes
Short film
2023
Role(s)
Brook Ripple (voice)
Role(s)
Jackie Drake
2024
Role(s)
Ruth
Role(s)
Delia Deetz
Role(s)
Pinktail (voice)
2025
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1980
Nothing Personal
Audrey
Double Negative
Judith
1983
Rock & Rule
Aunt Edith (voice)
1985
After Hours
Gail
1986
Heartburn
Betty
1988
Beetlejuice
Delia Deetz
1990
Dick Tracy
Texie Garcia
Betsy's Wedding
Gloria Henner
Home Alone
Kate McCallister
Little Vegas
Lexie
1992
There Goes the Neighborhood
Jessica Lodge
Internationally re-titled Paydirt
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Kate McCallister
1993
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Sally / Shock (voice)
1994
The Paper
Susan
Wyatt Earp
Allie Earp
A Simple Twist of Fate
April Simon
1995
Tall Tale
Calamity Jane
1996
Waiting for Guffman
Sheila Albertson
The Last of the High Kings
Cathleen
1997
Pippi Longstocking
Mrs. Prysselius (voice)
1998
Home Fries
Beatrice Lever
1999
The Life Before This
Sheena
Bartok the Magnificent
Ludmilla (voice)
Direct-to-video
2000
Best in Show
Cookie Fleck
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big
Lorna Mae Loon (voice)
Short film
2001
Speaking of Sex
Connie Barker
2002
Orange County
Cindy Beugler
Searching for Debra Winger
Herself
Documentary
2003
A Mighty Wind
Mickey Crabbe
2004
Surviving Christmas
Christine Valco
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Justice Strauss
2005
Game 6
Lillian Rogan
Chicken Little
Tina (voice)
2006
Over the Hedge
Penny (voice)
Monster House
Mrs. Walters (voice)
Brother Bear 2
Kata (voice)
Direct-to-video
Penelope
Jessica Wilhern
For Your Consideration
Marilyn Heck
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
Rowena (voice)
Direct-to-video
2009
Away We Go
Gloria Farlander
Where the Wild Things Are
Judith (voice)
2010
Killers
Mrs. Kornfeldt
2011
A Monster in Paris
Madame Carlotta (voice)
2012
Frankenweenie
Susan Frankenstein / Gym Teacher / Weird Girl (voices)
2013
A.C.O.D.
Melissa
The Right Kind of Wrong
Tess
2014
When Marnie Was There
Old Marnie (voice)
2015
Being Canadian
Herself
Documentary
2019
The Addams Family
Grandma Frump (voice)
Key · Filmography › Film
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
· Filmography › Television
1975
Role(s)
Various
Notes
Episode: "1975 Show #2"
1975–77
Role(s)
Coming Up Rosie
Notes
Marna Wallbacker
1976
The Rimshots
Role(s)
Maggie
Notes
Retooled as Custard Pie with a different cast
1976–84
Role(s)
SCTV
Notes
Various
1978
Role(s)
Malicious (voice)
Notes
CBC/NBC television special
1979
Role(s)
Ma Spademinder (voice)
Notes
Television short
1980
Role(s)
Scarlett O'Hare (voice)
Notes
CBC television special
From Cleveland
Role(s)
Various
Notes
Television pilot; Also writer
Role(s)
Chris Dougherty
Notes
Miniseries
1981
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
Role(s)
Various
Notes
Episode: "May 29, 1981"
1984
Role(s)
3 episodes
1985
Role(s)
Lemon Twin
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Sally
Notes
Episode: "The Dynamite Girl"
1986
Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood
Role(s)
Marie Antoinette
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Theresa Sharpe
Notes
Episode: "I'll Die Loving"; also writer
1987
Role(s)
Rebecca
Notes
Episode: "Get a Job"
1988
Role(s)
Miss Malone (voice)
Notes
Main role
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Episode: "Matthew Broderick / The Sugarcubes"
1989
I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood
Role(s)
Nancy Mae
Notes
HBO television special
Andrea Martin... Together Again
Role(s)
Various
Notes
Television special; Also writer for special material
1990
Role(s)
Episode: "#1.5"
Role(s)
Irma
Notes
Episode: "555-HELL"; Directed episode: "And Your Little Dog, Too"
1991
Role(s)
Amelia von Astor
Notes
Episode: "Daffy Dicks"
Role(s)
Female Dog
Notes
Episode: "Look Who's Barking"
Saturday Night Live
Role(s)
Herself / Host
Notes
Episode: "Catherine O'Hara / R.E.M."
1992
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Episode: "The Talk Show Episode"
1993
Role(s)
Laurel Brody
Notes
Episode: "The First Battle"
1994
Role(s)
Geraldine Ferrett
Notes
Episode: "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime"
1997
Role(s)
Becka Paulson
Notes
Episode: "The Revelations of Becka Paulson"; Directed episode: "Glyphic"
Role(s)
Muriel Macswain
Notes
Television movie
1998
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
3 episodes
1999
Role(s)
Shrink
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Roberta Hunter
Notes
Episode: "Discrimination"
2000
Role(s)
Woman on Blind Date
Notes
Episode: "24"
2001
Role(s)
Liz Larsen
Notes
Main role
2002
Role(s)
Ms. O'Connor
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
Role(s)
Catherine (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Bakery Ben"
2003
Role(s)
Claudia Johnson
Notes
Episode: "Broke & Broker"
2003–05
Role(s)
Six Feet Under
Notes
Carol Ward
2004
Role(s)
Gloria
Notes
Television movie
2009
Role(s)
Bam Bam
Notes
Episode: "Funkhouser's Crazy Sister"
2009–2011
Role(s)
Glenn Martin, DDS
Notes
Jackie Martin (voice)
2010
Role(s)
Aunt Ann
Notes
Television movie
2012
Role(s)
Leslie
Notes
2 episodes
Role(s)
Pearline
Notes
Episode: "Governor Dunston"
2013
Role(s)
Muriel Rush
Notes
Episode: "Too Close for Comfort"
2015
What Lives Inside
Role(s)
Sarah Delaney
Notes
Miniseries
2015–2020
Role(s)
Schitt's Creek
Notes
Moira Rose
Role(s)
Dr. Debra Radcliffe
Notes
Episode: "Clean Out Your Junk Drawer"
2016
Role(s)
Morgana (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Gone With the Wand"
Role(s)
Miley (voice)
Notes
Episode: "The New Bugaboo/The Case of the Missing Pancake"
2016–18
Role(s)
Skylanders Academy
Notes
Kaossandra (voice)
2017–18
Role(s)
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Notes
Dr. Georgina Orwell
2018
Role(s)
Aunt Tennelli, Teresina Tennelli (voice)
Notes
2 episodes
2019–2020
Role(s)
The Last Kids on Earth
Notes
Skaelka (voice)
2020
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
2 episodes
2022
Role(s)
Gwendolyn Swish (voice)
Notes
Episode: "The PAIGE-riarchy!"; Performed the song "Light The Match", written by Danny Elfman
Role(s)
Charlene
Notes
Episode 2
2025
Role(s)
Patty Leigh
Notes
Main role
Role(s)
Gail Lynden
Notes
3 episodes (Season 2)
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1975
Wayne and Shuster
Various
Episode: "1975 Show "
1975–77
Coming Up Rosie
Marna Wallbacker
1976
The Rimshots
Maggie
Retooled as Custard Pie with a different cast
1976–84
SCTV
Various
Main; Seasons 1, 2 & 4, Guest; Seasons 5 & 6, Also writer for seasons 1, 2, 4 & 6, Served as writer for The Best of SCTV
1978
Witch's Night Out
Malicious (voice)
CBC/NBC television special
1979
Intergalactic Thanksgiving
Ma Spademinder (voice)
Television short
1980
Easter Fever
Scarlett O'Hare (voice)
CBC television special
From Cleveland
Various
Television pilot; Also writer
You've Come a Long Way, Katie
Chris Dougherty
Miniseries
1981
The Steve Allen Comedy Hour
Various
Episode: "May 29, 1981"
1984
The New Show
3 episodes
1985
The Last Polka
Lemon Twin
Television movie
George Burns Comedy Week
Sally
Episode: "The Dynamite Girl"
1986
Dave Thomas: The Incredible Time Travels of Henry Osgood
Marie Antoinette
Television movie
Really Weird Tales
Theresa Sharpe
Episode: "I'll Die Loving"; also writer
1987
Trying Times
Rebecca
Episode: "Get a Job"
1988
The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley
Miss Malone (voice)
Main role
Saturday Night Live
Herself
Episode: "Matthew Broderick / The Sugarcubes"
1989
I, Martin Short, Goes Hollywood
Nancy Mae
HBO television special
Andrea Martin... Together Again
Various
Television special; Also writer for special material
1990
The Dave Thomas Comedy Show
Episode: "#1.5"
Dream On
Irma
Episode: "555-HELL"; Directed episode: "And Your Little Dog, Too"
1991
Morton & Hayes
Amelia von Astor
Episode: "Daffy Dicks"
Married... with Children
Female Dog
Episode: "Look Who's Barking"
Saturday Night Live
Herself / Host
Episode: "Catherine O'Hara / R.E.M."
1992
Episode: "Catherine O'Hara / 10,000 Maniacs"
The Larry Sanders Show
Herself
Episode: "The Talk Show Episode"
1993
The Hidden Room
Laurel Brody
Episode: "The First Battle"
1994
Tales from the Crypt
Geraldine Ferrett
Episode: "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime"
1997
The Outer Limits
Becka Paulson
Episode: "The Revelations of Becka Paulson"; Directed episode: "Glyphic"
Hope
Muriel Macswain
Television movie
1998
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Herself
3 episodes
1999
Late Last Night
Shrink
Television movie
Oh Baby
Roberta Hunter
Episode: "Discrimination"
2000
MAD TV
Woman on Blind Date
Episode: "24"
2001
Committed
Liz Larsen
Main role
2002
Bram & Alice
Ms. O'Connor
Episode: "Pilot"
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Catherine (voice)
Episode: "Bakery Ben"
2003
Odd Job Jack
Claudia Johnson
Episode: "Broke & Broker"
2003–05
Six Feet Under
Carol Ward
4 episodes
2004
The Wool Cap
Gloria
Television movie
2009
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Bam Bam
Episode: "Funkhouser's Crazy Sister"
2009–2011
Glenn Martin, DDS
Jackie Martin (voice)
Main role
2010
Temple Grandin
Aunt Ann
Television movie
2012
Leslie
Leslie
2 episodes
30 Rock
Pearline
Episode: "Governor Dunston"
2013
The Greatest Event in Television History
Muriel Rush
Episode: "Too Close for Comfort"
2015
What Lives Inside
Sarah Delaney
Miniseries
2015–2020
Schitt's Creek
Moira Rose
Main role; Also consulting producer for seasons 2–6
· Filmography › Music videos
2024
"Electric Energy"
Role(s)
Ariana DeBose, Boy George and Nile Rodgers
Notes
Herself
Year
Title
Artist(s)
Role
Ref.
2024
"Electric Energy"
Ariana DeBose, Boy George and Nile Rodgers
Herself
· Filmography › Video games
2024
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2024
Disney Speedstorm
Sally (voice)
Disney Dreamlight Valley

References

  1. Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
    https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-12544
  2. The Modesto Bee
  3. Governor General's Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA)
    https://ggpaa.ca/award-recipients/2020/o-hara,-catherine.aspx
  4. "Inductee: Mary Margaret O'Hara"
    http://www.cbc.ca/arts/walkoffame/ohara.html
  5. Vanity Fair
    http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/11/proust-questionnaire-catherine-o-hara
  6. Etobicoke Guardian
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/etobicoke-guardian-striking-etobicokes/170698011/
  7. Etobicoke Gazette
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/etobicoke-gazette/168481365/
  8. "The Second City"
    http://www.secondcity.com/?id=history/alumni/toronto
  9. People
    https://people.com/archive/once-the-comedy-queen-of-sctv-reclusive-catherine-ohara-swears-she-isnt-just-lying-down-on-the-job-vol-26-no-15/
  10. Vulture
    http://www.vulture.com/2015/02/schitts-creek-catherine-ohara-eugene-levy.html
  11. thestar.com
    https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/220072
  12. "SCTV Shoots For First"
    http://rickmoranisfanpage.com/Articles/secondcityshoots.html
  13. Vulture
    https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/catherine-ohara-says-michael-odonoghue-didnt-really-scare-her-away-from-snl.html
  14. "Oh, good! Catherine O'Hara to star in ABC pilot"
    http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/05/02/oh-good-catherine-ohara-to-star-in-abc-pilot
  15. "Catherine O'Hara"
    https://www.secondcity.com/people/other/catherine-ohara/
  16. "Martin Short & Catherine O'Hara Join 'Addams Family' Cast"
    https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/martin-short-catherine-ohara-join-addams-family-cast/
  17. The Huffington Post
    http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/14/canadian-screen-awards-2016_n_9456460.html
  18. "Catherine O'Hara just became 4th person to sweep all 5 major TV prizes in a single season with SAG Award win"
    https://www.goldderby.com/article/2021/catherine-ohara-sag-awards-comedy-actress-sweep/
  19. Thrillist
    https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/series-of-unfortunate-events-netflix-cast
  20. newswire.ca
    https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/it-s-head-crushing-time-prime-video-announces-the-premiere-date-and-trailer-release-for-canadian-amazon-original-series-the-kids-in-the-hall-821836739.html
  21. "Tim Burton says 'Beetlejuice 2' has officially wrapped production"
    https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/30/entertainment/tim-burton-beetlejuice-2-wrapped-production/index.html
  22. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2024/02/the-last-of-us-season-2-casts-catherine-ohara-1235812509/
  23. Rolling Stone
  24. UPROXX
    http://uproxx.com/movies/how-the-creative-and-unusual-world-of-tim-burtons-beetlejuice-became-a-beautiful-reality/
  25. "Catherine O'Hara's Kids Are 'Funny' Like Their Mom! Meet Matthew and Luke"
    https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/catherine-oharas-kids-meet-her-children-matthew-and-luke/
  26. "Catherine O'Hara"
    https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019038/bio
  27. "Catherine O'Hara Named Honorary Mayor of Brentwood"
    https://brentwoodnewsla.com/catherine-ohara-named-honorary-mayor-of-brentwood/
  28. YouTube
    https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/08Nvi0L1Fdo
  29. "Macaulay Culkin Wipes Away Tears as He Reunites with 'Home Alone' Mom Catherine O'Hara at Walk of Fame Ceremony"
    https://people.com/macaulay-culkin-reunites-home-alone-mom-catherine-ohara-walk-of-fame-8409927
  30. "Samantha Bee"
    https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/samantha-bee
  31. "Catherine O'Hara (visual voices guide)"
    http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Catherine-OHara/
  32. Deadline
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190322033043/https://deadline.com/2019/03/the-last-kids-on-earth-netflix-mark-hamill-rosario-dawson-catherine-ohara-keith-david-bruce-campbell-garland-whitt-montse-hernandez-charles-demers-nick-wolfhard-1202574577/
  33. People
    https://people.com/electric-energy-music-video-ariana-debose-boy-george-bryan-cranston-henry-cavill-lip-sync-argylle-movie-8550785
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