In Beetlejuice, during the dinner scene, O'Hara's Delia:
-Gets possessed. This would be scary! So she's scared, or at least startled.
-Dances, and sings in Harry Belafonte's voice. It's not her will--it's the spirit's. This is still scary. But also, curious.
-Looks around at the guests she is trying to impress and notices them rapt, titillated by novelty, consistent with their art-snob interest in the outré.
-Decides to go with the whole thing, with confidence and aplomb, aiming to convince her guests that she's the able conduit for this intimacy with the supernatural.
Delia is a "very of-the-time satirical character," as Bill writes. But in O'Hara's hands she might be the apotheosis of this mini-archetype. I'll always maintain she should've won an Oscar for it.
“Untethered from reality, and therefore easily overwhelmed by it.” This brilliant assessment of Catherine O’Hara also summarizes me in just nine words: Thank you, Bill Ryan.
I was born in Texas, but my humor falls to Bob & Doug McKenzie, John Candy, Phil Hartman, all-time Norm MacDonald, sweet Matthew Perry, both actor & the greatest physical comedian Jim Carrey and the great Leslie Nielsen. Luckily, I moved away from the Lone Star State (there are things we need to see north of the Red River) and the Canadians kept coming: Mike Meyers, Ryan's Reynolds and Gosling, the Levy's, and Elliot Page. And then there was Katherine, just the PERFECT fit to all of your genius. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for putting yourself out there. Daring to be different, and discovering how wonderful you were at it. And yes, Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas (the "McKenzie Bros"), I am an old nuclear engineer. But just this past week talking to my European cohorts, we were discussing the challenge of building a complex nuclear design in the US with a European design team in metric. My response, "Hey, just double it, and add thirty." You all have made this redneck's life so much better. Miss you Katherine. The greatest singularity about her as an actor, she was funny as the hero or the villain. She was always was so true to her character. A pro's pro. Miss you all my great Canadian friends. We are fighting here to make us worthy of you again. Remember, according Rick & Dave, a six pack in metric: double it and add 30... that's 42 metric beers. Someone tell me why we are not in Canada right now. I know, to fight the good fight. Let's go!
In retrospect, what Catherine O'Hara did for a comedienne is amazing. Frequently outrageous, often over-the-top. But never, never offensive. I wonder if people understand how hard that was for a comic to achieve.
Catherine O'Hara was an acting and comedic genius. Having lived in Canada for 7 years, I am devastated by her young loss and loved her more than I can say. She leaves us with many, many classic performances. But for her, Catherine O'Hara is no more.
I'm gutted by her no longer being with us. What a loss for all of us.
In Beetlejuice, during the dinner scene, O'Hara's Delia:
-Gets possessed. This would be scary! So she's scared, or at least startled.
-Dances, and sings in Harry Belafonte's voice. It's not her will--it's the spirit's. This is still scary. But also, curious.
-Looks around at the guests she is trying to impress and notices them rapt, titillated by novelty, consistent with their art-snob interest in the outré.
-Decides to go with the whole thing, with confidence and aplomb, aiming to convince her guests that she's the able conduit for this intimacy with the supernatural.
Delia is a "very of-the-time satirical character," as Bill writes. But in O'Hara's hands she might be the apotheosis of this mini-archetype. I'll always maintain she should've won an Oscar for it.
“Untethered from reality, and therefore easily overwhelmed by it.” This brilliant assessment of Catherine O’Hara also summarizes me in just nine words: Thank you, Bill Ryan.
I was born in Texas, but my humor falls to Bob & Doug McKenzie, John Candy, Phil Hartman, all-time Norm MacDonald, sweet Matthew Perry, both actor & the greatest physical comedian Jim Carrey and the great Leslie Nielsen. Luckily, I moved away from the Lone Star State (there are things we need to see north of the Red River) and the Canadians kept coming: Mike Meyers, Ryan's Reynolds and Gosling, the Levy's, and Elliot Page. And then there was Katherine, just the PERFECT fit to all of your genius. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for putting yourself out there. Daring to be different, and discovering how wonderful you were at it. And yes, Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas (the "McKenzie Bros"), I am an old nuclear engineer. But just this past week talking to my European cohorts, we were discussing the challenge of building a complex nuclear design in the US with a European design team in metric. My response, "Hey, just double it, and add thirty." You all have made this redneck's life so much better. Miss you Katherine. The greatest singularity about her as an actor, she was funny as the hero or the villain. She was always was so true to her character. A pro's pro. Miss you all my great Canadian friends. We are fighting here to make us worthy of you again. Remember, according Rick & Dave, a six pack in metric: double it and add 30... that's 42 metric beers. Someone tell me why we are not in Canada right now. I know, to fight the good fight. Let's go!
Schitt's Creek was my pandemic coping mechanism. Guess I'll have to fold in the cheese by myself.
In retrospect, what Catherine O'Hara did for a comedienne is amazing. Frequently outrageous, often over-the-top. But never, never offensive. I wonder if people understand how hard that was for a comic to achieve.
There is much to be endured, and little to be enjoyed in this world. I am grateful for Catherine O'Hara's all too brief appearance in our lives.
She was great.
Catherine O'Hara was an acting and comedic genius. Having lived in Canada for 7 years, I am devastated by her young loss and loved her more than I can say. She leaves us with many, many classic performances. But for her, Catherine O'Hara is no more.
Seventy-one is far too young. The world is objectively worse whenever an SCTV-alum is subtracted from it.
She was one of my absolute favorites. I cannot even imagine someone else playing one of her characters. And I loved Moira Rose!🌹
RIP Catherine. You were a classy dame!
A comic genius and an admirable human being. She will be sorely missed.
This tribute makes me love Cathrine O'Hara all the more -- thank you!
Thanks for this beautiful tribute. Gone too soon. Bet she and John Candy have ‘em all laughing in the throne room. May she RIP.
The funniest woman in the world. A great talent. RIP.
This woman was just magnificent. She will be sorely missed.