‘SNL’ Pays Tribute to Catherine O’Hara

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Beloved actress Catherine O’Hara passed away last Friday at age 71. Throughout her long and celebrated career, she became famous for roles in films like Beetlejuice (1988) and Home Alone, where her memorable delivery of “Kevin!” delighted audiences. She also lent her voice to Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas and showcased her comedic talent in mockumentaries such as Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. Later in her career, she experienced a resurgence with her hilarious portrayal of Moira Rose on the sitcom Schitt’s Creek, earning her an Emmy Award. Even recently, she continued to impress, appearing in HBO’s The Last of Us and Apple TV+’s The Studio. O’Hara leaves behind an extraordinary and impactful body of work.

Many people don’t realize Catherine O’Hara was briefly hired as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, while the show was undergoing changes. She didn’t appear in any sketches that season and ultimately left to return to SCTV, where she’d been a cast member for five out of its six seasons. In a 2013 interview with Vulture, O’Hara explained she left SNL because she disliked living in New York City.

As a huge fan of comedy, I was really touched that Saturday Night Live paid tribute to Kate McKinnon’s character, O’Hara, on last night’s show. Alexander Skarsgård hosted, and Cardi B was the musical guest, and right before the credits rolled, they put up a lovely card honoring her. I’ve included a picture of it below.

Catherine O’Hara Hosted ‘SNL’ Twice After Quitting


Saturday Night Live/NBC

While a regular role on a TV show wasn’t a good fit for her, Molly O’Hara went on to host Saturday Night Live twice, in 1991 and 1992. Her first hosting gig came right after the success of Home Alone, and the second was just before Home Alone 2 was released. You can watch her hosting the 1991 episode here:

Many people are honoring Catherine O’Hara, and Macaulay Culkin, who starred as her son Kevin in the first two Home Alone films, shared his tribute on Saturday. He wrote a heartfelt message saying, ‘Mama. I thought we had more time. I wanted to sit with you and tell you everything. I heard you, but I still had so much to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.’

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Messages of tribute arrived from many, including director Ron Howard, Canadian singer Michael Bublé, Michael Keaton, Pedro Pascal, and Henry Selick, who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas. O’Hara was widely loved, both inside and outside the entertainment industry, and her loss will be deeply felt.

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2026-02-01 19:17