Catherine O'Hara is a talented actor. Her acting career spans over decades. She has shown her talent on both big and small screens. Every character she played has left an indelible mark on viewers. From her performance in her early days in movies like After Hours to her iconic roles in mockumentaries, she has remained consistent.
Whether she is taking on the role of an overbearing mother or a dramatic socialite, her acting range is truly commendable. Through her acting, her comedic prowess can be seen. In this list are some of her best works through the years. Every TV show and movie she has done has solidified her status as an acclaimed actor. So, let's dive into the 10 Catherine O'Hara movies and TV shows that you need to watch at least once.
10 Catherine O'Hara movies and TV shows you need to watch at least once
1)Home Fries

Sally is a fast food worker living a complicated life entangled with the Lever family. She loves Henry, who is married to Beatrice. To take revenge for the infidelity, Beatrice involves her sons to scare their father. However, while they were scarring him, Henry suffered a fatal heart attack. In the movie, Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Beatrice Lever.
She portrays Beatrice’s sweet and somewhat manipulative persona convincingly. O’Hara brings forth Beatrice’s passive-aggressive nature. Beatrice is simmering beneath the veneer of normalcy. It has been depicted by Catherine O'Hara in a nuanced manner. Beatrice’s dark humor makes it both unsettling and darkly funny. Her portrayal of such a unique character is truly an intriguing factor. Though it might not be the lead role, she grabs the attention whenever she is on screen.
2)Beetlejuice

Tim Burton’s movies have always had a unique touch of quirkiness to them. A recently deceased couple starts to haunt their beloved country home. A new couple has arrived at the home. The dead couple tries to reclaim their house. However, as they are invisible to the newcomers, they are not able to scare them away. They try traditional haunting techniques, yet nothing seems to work.
To make their work easy, they decide to summon Betelgeuse. However, their plan starts to go in a completely different direction. Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Delia Deetz. Delia is Lydia’s stepmother. Lydia is the only one who can see the dead couple. Deelia has an artistic flair that goes unnoticed. Catherine O’Hara captures Delia’s eccentric and over-the-top reactions. Delia’s utter inability to grasp the supernatural events around her adds to the overall humor and intrigue of the movie.
3)Best in Show

Best In Show is truly a gem of a movie. Depicted in a mockumentary style, it showcases the world of competitive dog shows. With a colorful cast, this movie brings forth a unique premise. All the main characters prep their beloved dogs for the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Show. Among the contestants, Cookie and Gerry Fleck are also there. Cookie and Gerry are a slightly off-kilter couple navigating their way to the show.
Catherine O’Hara shines through the movie with her performance as Cookie. Her performance is proof of her comedic timing and character portrayal. Cookie is a ball of nervous energy. She is constantly running into old flames. This causes discomfort to Geery. Catherine O’Hara has depicted Cookie with incredible endearment. Despite her bizarre actions, viewers are rooting for her throughout the movie. There are backstage dramas and unexpected mishaps during the competition, which add to the overall humor of the movie.
4)Orange County

Shaun Brumder is usually a carefree person. He comes across a novel that inspires him to think about his future. He dreams to attend Stanford University and study under the book’s author. However, his dreams come to a halt when his guidance counselor accidentally sends the wrong transcript to Stanford.
It leads to his rejection from the university. He becomes determined to fix this. Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Cindy Beuglar. Cindy is Shaun’s mother. She is the embodiment of a wealthy and bored housewife. Cindy’s emotional fragility and her tendency to create drama have been portrayed perfectly by Catherine O’Hara. Catherine O’Hara’s performance subtly hints at the underlying insecurities and disappointments that drive Cindy’s behavior. A unique blend of physical humor and emotional depth makes Cindy’s character intriguing.
5)Home Alone

Before the Christmas trip to Paris, because of the trouble Kevin caused, his mother made him sleep in the attic. The next morning, all the family members dash to the airport, and in all the confusion, they completely forget about Kevin. Kevin wakes up to find the whole house empty. He realizes that his family has forgotten to take him with them.
Initially, he is extremely happy that he can get the whole place to himself. However, slowly, things take a different turn. In the movie, Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Kevin’s mother, Kate. Soon, Kate realizes that they have left Kevin at home. She becomes frantic and feels guilty. Catherine O’Hara brings forth a blend of humor and heartfelt emotions to the role. The core of Catherine’s performance lies in her realization that Kevin is alone. The initial frustration soon changes into panic and sheer anguish. Though she has limited screen time in this movie, she has conveyed the depth of a mother’s love in a nuanced manner.
6)Waiting for Guffman

When a small cast is assembled for a show in the town of Blaine, it leads to a unique outcome. As the night of the performance draws nearer, the anticipation and the cast’s anxieties reach comical heights. The viewers get a hilarious peek at the personal lives of the characters. Waiting for Guffman reveals the varied paths the cast members take.
In the movie, Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Sheila Albertson. Sheila is cast as the lead in the show. She takes on every rehearsal with unwavering commitment and dedication. She is truly admirable and funny. O’Hara carries the role with genuine warmth and vulnerability. The viewers can see Sheila’s vulnerability and unwavering support for her husband. This movie showcases a different aspect of her talent as an actor.
7)Schitt's Creek

A rich family’s life takes a dramatic turn when they lose their fortune because of their shady business manager. They are forced to relocate to Schitt’s Creek and live in a local motel. They go from a life of luxury to sharing cramped rooms and dealing with the town’s quirky residents. As time goes on, they start to adapt to their new circumstances.
Johnny uses his business acumen and revitalizes the motel. Over the six seasons of the series, each character evolves. In the series, Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Moira Rose. O’Hara has brought forth a surprising amount of heart to her character. The viewers can see her love for her family, even though it is expressed in a very Moira-like manner.
8)The Studio

Matt Remick is a passionate movie lover. He became the head of a struggling film production company called Continental Studios. He is excited to finally be in charge. However, he realizes that it is not as easy as he thought it would be. He starts to understand that balancing his artistic dreams with the demands of the movie business is tough.
In the series, Catherine O’Hara plays the role of Patty Leigh. Patty is the former head of the studio. She has a quirky energy and a way of looking at the chaotic world of Hollywood with a mixture of cynicism. Catherine O’Hara’s performance in this series is truly iconic. It depicts the multifaceted talent she has in this field.
9)Six Feet Under

Though Catherine O’Hara is not the lead character in the series, she has a recurring role in seasons 3 and 5. The series dives into the lives of the Fisher family. The Fisher family runs a funeral home in Los Angeles. After the death of the patriarch of the family, Nate and David are supposed to inherit the business.
Nate is forced to put his free-spirited life on hold and partner with his brother for the business. Through dark humor and poignant moments, the series comes to life. Catherine O’Hara’s performance is remarkable in the episodes. Even though she might not have enough screen time, she steals the show.
10)What Lives Inside

What Lives Inside is a miniseries about a man named Tyler. He is grieving the death of his puppeteer father. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is pulled into the magical world of his dad’s puppet show.
It became a journey beyond his imagination. He has to figure out the new place and his role in it. In the series, Catherine plays the role of Sarah Delaney. O’Hara grounds her character with a relatable emotional core. As the grieving widow of the puppeteer, her portrayal is tinged with sadness and quiet strength. Her talent shines through as the story unfolds in the series.
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