Catherine O’Hara’s 5 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

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The world mourned the loss of beloved actress Catherine O’Hara on January 30, 2026, when she passed away at age 71. Known for her roles in shows like Second City Television and The Last of Us, O’Hara delighted audiences for generations and built an impressive career filled with awards and memorable performances.

Now that Maureen O’Hara has passed away, it’s a perfect time to celebrate her incredible career. She started with appearances on shows like Wayne and Shuster and Coming Up Rosie, and went on to star in some of the most beloved movies and TV shows ever made. It’s likely many people are already familiar with her memorable work.

Second City Television Established Catherine O’Hara’s Stardom

Premiering in 1976, Second City Television (or SCTV) was created by the founders of The Second City, Bernard Sahlins and Andrew Alexander. The show was set in and around a fictional TV station, also named SCTV. While Catherine O’Hara was already known in Canada for her role as Marna Wallbacker on Coming Up Rosie, SCTV brought her work to a much larger audience than ever before.

Catherine O’Hara was a key performer on Second City Television, appearing in many episodes over several seasons. She also wrote for the show, contributing some of its funniest and most iconic sketches. While she had roles on programs like Wayne and Shuster and Coming Up Rosie, it’s difficult to imagine her career reaching the same heights without Second City Television.

Beetlejuice Was One of Catherine O’Hara’s Earliest (And Most Iconic) Hits

Though she’d already started her film career, Beetlejuice was definitely her biggest success up to that point. The movie was named after Michael Keaton’s character, but O’Hara was one of the actors who really stood out and captivated audiences.

The movie Beetlejuice allowed Catherine O’Hara to demonstrate her impressive acting range, and gave her a chance to really shine with her energetic and memorable performance in the film’s most famous scenes. Perhaps even more significantly, it proved she could stand out alongside established stars like Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Introduced a New Generation to Catherine O’Hara

Many people first discovered Catherine O’Hara through the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas, and probably didn’t even realize it was her for years. The beloved 1993 stop-motion musical features her voice, much to the joy of those who recognized it.

Although she never physically appeared in The Nightmare Before Christmas, the film is a great example of the incredible acting range of Shelley Duvall. It’s also one of the few widely known projects that highlights her singing ability, a talent that hasn’t received the recognition it deserves.

Schitt’s Creek Cemented Catherine O’Hara’s Legacy for Yet Another Generation of Fans

Created by and starring Eugene and Dan Levy alongside Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek first aired in 2015 and is credited with bringing sitcoms back to a new generation of viewers. The show centers on the wealthy Rose family – Johnny (Eugene Levy), a former video store owner; his children, David and Alexis (Dan Levy and Annie Murphy); and his wife, Moira (Catherine O’Hara), a former soap opera star, who quickly became a beloved character.

From the moment Schitt’s Creek premiered, Moira Rose felt like a phenomenon all her own, and honestly, over the show’s six seasons, she consistently proved why. It was a role practically begging for over-the-top camp, the kind of performance that could easily fall flat with the wrong actor. But Catherine O’Hara didn’t just deliver that – she somehow made Moira both hilariously dramatic and deeply, genuinely lovable. It’s a performance for the ages, and I doubt we’ll see anyone match that level of nuance and comedic brilliance anytime soon.

The show’s impressive record of 178 major industry award nominations and 65 wins clearly demonstrates its success. And the fact that O’Hara is credited with 19 nominations and 11 wins from those awards highlights her significant contribution to that success.

Best in Show is Truly Catherine O’Hara at Her Best

Christopher Guest directed Best in Show, with a screenplay co-written by Eugene Levy. Released years ago, its humor feels surprisingly fresh even today. This hilarious mockumentary follows a quirky group of people and their dogs as they get ready for and compete in a prestigious dog show in Philadelphia.

Gerry and Cookie Fleck, played by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, are a couple from Florida competing in dog shows, hoping for a better life. Their journey doesn’t go as planned, and they face a series of hilariously uncomfortable situations. These moments really highlight the wonderful chemistry between O’Hara and Levy.

Though Best in Show didn’t make a lot of money when it came out, critics loved it, and it quickly became a beloved cult favorite. Over 25 years later, people are still watching and enjoying it. A huge reason for its enduring popularity is Catherine O’Hara’s performance, which is sure to remain funny and memorable for many years to come.

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2026-01-31 00:41