Catherine O’Hara may be best remembered for the way she yelled that immortal “Kevin!” but in real life, the legendary actress and comedian was known for her warmth, quick wit and wisdom. The shocking announcement of her death at age 71 on Friday afternoon reverberated across Hollywood and beyond.
Fans fell in love with her through her work in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, Best in Show and as the ever-lovable matriarch Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek during a career that spanned decades. Through countless interviews and acceptance speeches, O’Hara showed a more soulful side of herself, sharing honest truths but always with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Here are some of her biggest life lessons and most notable quotes.
On laughter
“Everybody in my family’s funny. Being funny was highly encouraged in our family, I think. My dad would tell jokes, and my mom would tell stories and imitate everyone within the stories. I think everyone is born with humor, but your life can beat it out of you, sadly, or you can be lucky enough to grow up in it.” — The New Yorker, January 2019
“My husband and I laugh about everything all day long. … That’s the best. Or if we get into a fight, we’ll actually make fun of each other to break the tension. It really helps. My parents were blessed — they laughed until the end. That’s the best way to live, because there’s so much sadness. You’re really lucky if your sense of humor is encouraged, because I think we’re all born with it, and if it’s encouraged in your life, that’s a gift.” — Elle Canada, August 2024
On humility
“I love playing people who have no real sense of the impression they’re making on anyone else. But the more I say it, the more I realize that’s all of us, and the internet, social networking, is a desperate attempt to try to control what others think of you. But look, we’re all trying to do that all the time. Anyone who reads your Twitter account as a follower — what the hell is that? I’ve never been consciously aware that I was hiding myself, but I also have never thought, I’m so interesting as myself. I’ll have thoughts where I think, Oh, that’s a good thought! That’s a good idea! I’ll share this! But generally speaking, who does think that way? Really?” — Vulture, June 2018
“Why work alone if you don’t have to? … It’s all give and take. It’s all about listening to others and contributing. Even if you didn’t want to act, improv classes are great, because they teach you about conversation. Although I’m talking an awful lot about myself right now.” — The New Yorker, January 2019
On aging
“When you’re on a set, you’re equals, it’s just an equal playing ground. And then, every once in a while, I’ll realize, Oh, yeah, I’m a lot older than everybody. What the heck?” — Vanity Fair, April 2025
“I do think of age, but otherwise, I rarely look in the mirror. … I feel that now, stories about people my age usually have to do with death and divorce and disease. So I’m really fortunate [to] have people around me who respect aging people and who give me new experiences.” — Elle Canada, August 2024
On death
When asked in one interview how she would like to die, O’Hara said, “Laughing, surrounded by my old grandchildren, who are telling me to let go already, Grandma!” — Vanity Fair, Oct. 2013
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