Many were saddened to learn comedy legend Catherine O’Hara passed away at 71 at the end of January. In each and every one of O’Hara’s best movies and TV shows, she made viewers laugh and got them in their feels. The late star’s talent is a major reason why so many people have been paying tribute to her. Now, one week after O’Hara’s death, her former co-star, Michael Keaton, describes her as “kind of a goddess” while sharing his recollections of her.
Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara most famously worked together as part of the cast of Beetlejuice and eventually reunited for its sequel. Of course, Keaton played “the ghost with the most,” and O’Hara portrayed eccentric artist Delia Deetz. While speaking at Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals 2026 Man of the Year event (via People), the Batman icon tried to pinpoint the moment he first met O’Hara:
I was a big SCTV fan. I am the biggest SCTV fan. And I’m trying to think, when was it? I think I was doing a movie in Toronto. … I remember we must have met or known each other a little bit, because, like myself, she has a big family. She’s one of seven, and I’m one of seven. And so somehow we got to be friends. I remember a night in Toronto where she had a summer [with her] brothers and sisters, and we were all shooting pool in some bar somewhere. But I think I had known her before, kind of having a hard time remembering it.
While the United States had Saturday Night Live beginning in the ’70s, Second City TV was Canada’s sketch comedy boot camp for future comedians of that era, with many going on to find major fame. In fact, many actors who started on SCTV would later join SNL.
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Catherine O’Hara was one of SCTV’s writers and performers, best known for her Meryl Streep and Brooke Shields impressions. She played recurring characters, with Vegas showgirl Lola Heatherton being one of them. Considering what O’Hara’s reputation was even by the time she met Keaton, it’s completely understandable why he was in awe of her.
Based on his comments, Keaton considers himself fortunate to have been able to work with O’Hara multiple times throughout his career. On that note, he also recalled how he played a role in them reuniting for a 2005 dramedy:
And I was doing this tiny little movie called Game 6, which is actually a really good little movie. It takes place in Boston, and Griffin [Dunne] and I were talking, and they hadn’t cast it [yet]. I said, ‘Hey, how [about] Catherine O’Hara as my ex-wife? Yeah, you think she’d do it?’ So I called her, and she came down. I guess that was after the first Beetlejuice. But I knew her before that. And to answer your question, I don’t remember what the first time was when I met her, but we got to be friends in addition to just working together as well.
It’s easy to get the feeling Michael Keaton is going to miss Catherine O’Hara very much. And, quite frankly, I’m right there with him and the others who’ve since mourned O’Hara.
After the news of Catherine O’Hara’s death broke, many celebrities who worked with her were quick to send their love. Her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star, Jenna Ortega, lovingly described O’Hara as “a giant and inspiration in many ways.” The Schitt’s Creek cast also honored O’Hara for her “brilliance,” “laughter” and “warm-hearted” nature. On top of that, Home Alone‘s Macaulay Culkin penned a loving message for his “mama.”
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There are so many words that could be used to describe Catherine O’Hara, but I think Michael Keaton’s “goddess” assessment may be the best. O’Hara will surely be missed, though I’m hopeful that her legacy will continue through her work and by friends continuing to share sweet anecdotes about her.