A Heartfelt Look Back at Catherine O’Hara’s First PEOPLE Interview in 1986: Her Thoughts on Love and Comedy

Catherine O’Hara in 1986.
Credit :

Raeanne Rubenstein

NEED TO KNOW

• PEOPLE first interviewed comedy legend Catherine O’Hara in 1986.
• O’Hara discussed her goals and selectivity in choosing roles during this interview.
• She passed away on January 30 at the age of 71.

The late comedic icon Catherine O’Hara was first interviewed by PEOPLE in 1986. At the time, the 32-year-old alum of Second City Television shared insights regarding her upcoming HBO special, Really Weird Tales, her aspirations for the future, and her approach to selecting roles.

An excerpt from the original interview by Franz Lidz highlights O’Hara’s life during this period:

Once called ”the funniest woman on TV,” Catherine O’Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.

No, the 32-year-old hasn’t been reduced to hustling pool; she’s merely hanging out with brothers Marcus and Michael, who own the club. But as far as O’Hara’s fans are concerned, she might as well be making a living with her cue stick.

During her seven-year tenure on SCTV, O’Hara became a cult favorite, known for her quirky yet precise impersonations of celebrities including Kate Hepburn, Brooke Shields, and Meryl Streep. However, her reclusive nature overshadowed her acclaim.

‘Second City’ troupe members Joe Flaherty, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Dave Thomas and Eugene Levy.

Gail Harvey/Toronto Star via Getty

The HBO special Really Weird Tales, featuring O’Hara along with other SCTV alumni like John Candy, Joe Flaherty, and Martin Short, ran throughout October. In a segment she co-wrote titled I’ll Die Loving, O’Hara portrayed a character whose affections lead to explosive consequences.

”Yes,” she deadpans, ”I’m finally getting to play myself.”

Catherine O’Hara in 1994.

Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

After leaving SCTV in 1983, O’Hara’s career saw limited roles, with only a few notable film appearances and sporadic television projects. These were eclipsed by numerous opportunities she declined.

”I don’t think Catherine is ambitious in the sense that her career is important to her,” said Dave Thomas from SCTV.

John Heard and Catherine O’Hara in ‘Home Alone’.

Moviestore/Shutterstock

O’Hara’s humble demeanor extended to her approach to success; she was often indifferent to material possessions, choosing a simple lifestyle over industry glitz.

Born into a close-knit Irish Catholic family as the sixth of seven children, O’Hara began her acting journey at age seven in a Nativity play. She joined Toronto’s Second City troupe and soon became known for memorable characters like Lola Heatherton when the troupe transitioned to television.

“Eventually,” O’Hara reflected, SCTV grew “less than fulfilling. I lost enthusiasm. I wanted to learn more about acting. I wanted a personal life. I wanted to get scared again.”

Despite a perception of disinterest in her career, O’Hara made selective choices, prioritizing quality over quantity. She expressed a desire to engage with meaningful projects, stating:

”I read scripts and get a gut feeling about whether I want to be a part of them. Do I want my parents to see this? I’d just rather stay home than do something I know is bad and have to defend it later.”

Catherine O’Hara accepting an Emmy for her role in ‘Schitt’s Creek’ in 2020.

ABC via Getty

O’Hara’s manager confirmed her passing on January 30 at the age of 71. She is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch, and her children, Matthew and Luke. No additional details have been provided.