The late Catherine O’Hara became a household name for her many iconic TV and film roles over the years, earning critical and fan acclaim alike.
The actress, whose death was announced Friday, earned accolades for her roles in mockumentaries such as “Best in Show” and comedies including “Beetlejuice” and “Schitt’s Creek.”
“I’ve played a few kind of delusional characters, and it’s really fun. I think maybe I am drawn to that because — it’s a fact — we’re all delusional,” O’Hara told Variety in March 2025 about her roles throughout her career, later adding, “I guess I like tapping into that — how we try to control ourselves.”
At the time of her death, O’Hara had a recurring role in the Emmy-winning comedy series “The Studio.”
Take a look back at some of O’Hara’s most iconic roles throughout her decadeslong career.
‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara and Macaulay Culkin in a scen e from the movie “Home Alone .”
20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
O’Hara played Kate McAllister, the mom of Kevin McAllister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin, in the hit 1990 movie “Home Alone.”
O’Hara’s character famously made a treacherous trip home after she and her husband discovered they’d left their son at their house alone on a Christmas family vacation to Paris.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
This image released by Pop Tv shows Catherine O’Hara in a scene from “Schitt’s Creek.”
Pop TV via AP
O’Hara won an Emmy in 2020 for her role as Moira Rose in the TV comedy “Schitt’s Creek.”
O’Hara starred in the comedy alongside her longtime acting partner, Eugene Levy, who created and starred in the show alongside his son Dan Levy and daughter Sarah Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Chris Elliott, Jennifer Robertson, Noah Reid and more.
‘Beetlejuice’
Catherine O’Hara poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” on Aug. 29, 2024, in London.
Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
One of O’Hara’s earlier roles came in the 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” in which she played Delia Deetz, the stepmother of Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder.
It was on the set of “Beetlejuice” that O’Hara met her longtime husband, Bo Welch, who was a production designer on the film, according to People.
In 2024, O’Hara reprised her role as Delia Deetz in the movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
‘The Studio’
Catherine O’Hara, a cast member in the Apple+ series “The Studio,” poses for a portrait, March 20, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
O’Hara was Emmy-nominated for her role as Patty Leigh in “The Studio,” an Apple TV series that stars Seth Rogen as a Hollywood studio head.
The role also earned O’Hara a 2026 Actor Award nomination for outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series.
‘Best in Show’
Eugene Levy and Catherine O”Hara star in “Best In Show.”
Wren Maloney/Online USA via Getty Images
“Best in Show” was one of O’Hara’s many collaborations with Christopher Guest, who also directed her in other mockumentary films, including “For Your Consideration,” “Waiting for Guffman” and “A Mighty Wind.”
In “Best in Show,” O’Hara starred alongside Levy as Cookie Fleck, an iconic character in the movie about the world of dog shows.
‘SCTV’
Second City troupers Joe Flaherty; Martin Short; Andrea Martin; Catherine O’Hara; Dave Thomas; Eugene Levy
Gail Harvey/Toronto Star via Getty Images
O’Hara won her first Emmy in 1982 for outstanding writing for her work on “Second City Television,” known as SCTV. The actress was both a cast member and writer for the Canadian sketch comedy show.