Catherine O'Hara died on Jan. 31 at the age of 71.Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press
Toronto-born comedian and actor Catherine O’Hara died on Jan. 31 at 71, leaving behind countless fans after decades of incredible star-making performances.
Last week, we asked readers to share their favourite O’Hara moments both on-screen and off (and shared a few of our own). From unforgettable moments in film and TV to meeting O’Hara face to face, here are some highlights.
O'Hara arrives on the red carpet for the TIFF Tribute Awards at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press
I was in my living room carrying my daughter and about to take a walk, when I saw Catherine walking across my lawn on her way to a film set at the corner of our street. I ran out and yelled her name. She stopped and smiled, which allowed me to look her in her eyes, and so I asked her with all sincerity to bless my daughter. She smiled again and did indeed give her the sign of the cross. Touched from a magic wand, from a blessed woman and artist, Catherine was now Raphaella’s godmother.
Catherine O’Hara has formed my personal sense of humour from her SCTV days, and my children reciprocate the humour and make me laugh with their own absurdist and clever schtick. Even today, 25 years later, my daughter insists that she makes me laugh the most because her godmother is Catherine O’Hara. – Vincent Valeri, Toronto
My favourite O’Hara moment was her line in The Last of Us, “You killed my husband.” She was one of the great comedic geniuses of all time, but showed she was a brilliant “actor” as well. She had all the talent to do anything and make it real, make us laugh, cry, believe, enjoy. – Harry Jennings, Williams Lake, B.C.
One of the favourite performances of the wonderful Catherine O’Hara I saw was at Second City in Toronto, around 1977. One sketch was with Andrea Martin, called Maureen and Margaret. O’Hara portrayed Margaret Trudeau as a beret-clad dipstick, contrasting Martin’s gravitas and ability to speak “47 languages.” I hope Ms. O’Hara knew how much she was loved and admired during her life. – Debbie Sherwood, Victoria
Opinion: Catherine O’Hara was a comedic genius who played the person, not the joke
My favourite Catherine O’Hara moment was when I found out she voiced my absolute favourite Barbie movie villain, Duchess Rowena, in Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses. Her loss shook me because the fact this woman played an incredible villain brings back so many memories of when I watched this movie. – AnnRenee Keller, Bixby, Okla.
SCTV. It’s hard to pick one, but I always cracked up at the zaniness of Lola Heatherton and her signature line delivered to her fans: “I want to have all your children!” Catherine and Andrea created immortal comic characters. What a loss! – Bruce Edwards, Burlington, Ont.
I love the movie A Mighty Wind, a Christopher Guest mockumentary about a reunion concert of folk singers. Catherine O’Hara does a fantastic job as a former folk singer reunited with her former lover and duet partner played by Eugene Levy. The cast wrote and performed all the music and Ms. O’Hara learned to play the autoharp for her role. – Diane Whitmore, Clare, N.S.
Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.