Updated On: 31 January, 2026 12:55 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves
Canadian-American comedy icon Catherine O`Hara, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Her agency, CAA, confirmed her passing at her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. In her career spanning over five decades, O`Hara had etched a name for herself as one of the most celebrated performers in the entertainment space. As fans mourn the passing away of the legendary actress, here are 12 of her most iconic roles.

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Cindy Brumder in Orange Country
O’Hara plays Cindy, mother to dysfunctional brothers Colin Hanks and Jack Black.
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Mickey Crabbe in A Mighty Wind
Catherine, alongside Eugene Levy play a well-known married folk duo who broke up (both the duo and their marriage) years before and are now taking part in the reunion concert.

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Moira Rose in Schitt`s Creek
This is her legendary role, for which she even won an Emmy for her portrayal of the matriarch of a rich family who loses everything.
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Sheila Albertson in Waiting for Guffman
She played an amateur performer in the mockumentary about a group of untalented, enthusiastic midwesterners cast in a musical revue by a director hoping to return to former glory.

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Gail in The Last of Us
Catherine appeared in three episodes of the postapocalyptic drama as Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) cynical therapist.
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Cookie Fleck in Best in Show
She plays Cookie Fleck in Christopher Guest`s mockumentary as a woman with a history of past lovers, who try to seduce her again.

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Kate McCallister in Home Alone
In the movie, she realises that she and her family have left her son Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) at home while on a Christmas vacation to Paris.
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Sally in The Nightmare Before
O`Hara lent the vulnerable voice of the ragdoll heroine in Tim Burton`s stop-motion classic.

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Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice
She played the eccentric, narcissistic artist stepmother of Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder). The high-strung, avant-garde sculptor who led a possessed dinner party dance.
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Patty Leigh in The Studio
O’Hara’s plays Patty, the ousted head of Continental Studios and mentor of new studio head Matt (Seth Rogen), in Rogen’s satire of the film industry.

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Lola Heatherton in SCTV
Catherine got her breakthrough as a writer and performer on the sketch show, SCTV, where she created the over-the-top, needy variety star.
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Marilyn Hack in For Your Consideration
In this mockumentary film, she played the leading role of Marilyn Hack, an actress seeking an Oscar nomination.