Netflix has paid tribute to Catherine O’Hara by adding five of her films to the platform, including a 2003 comedy-musical featuring Eugene Levy.
The comedy world expressed its sorrow on Friday (January 30) as news of the beloved icon’s passing was shared with Variety by her management.
The celebrated Home Alone actress died at her Los Angeles home following a ‘brief illness’, though the specific cause of death remains undisclosed.
O’Hara was a prominent figure in major films and television series during the 80s, 90s, and 00s. Her illustrious career included hits like 1988’s Beetlejuice and its recent sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Best in Show, The Last of Us, and Schitt’s Creek, a show developed by Eugene and Dan Levy, in which she also starred.
O’Hara portrayed Moira, the wife of the Rose family patriarch Johnny, played by Eugene Levy, in the series. This wasn’t their only collaboration, as Netflix has now made A Mighty Wind available for streaming.
Now available on Netflix’s United States and Canada platforms as of yesterday (February 4), A Mighty Wind is a mockumentary that brings together three not-so-famous folk bands for a reunion concert in honor of their late manager.
In the 2003 film, O’Hara takes on the role of Mickey Crabbe, one half of the duo Mitch and Mickey, alongside Levy as Mitch Cohen. The film was well-received by critics and audiences, garnering an 87% score on the Tomatometer and 75% on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics praised the film, with Nell Minow from Common Sense Media calling it a ‘hilarious mockumentary’, while Mark Steyn of The Spectator noted: “There are two very sweet performances, by Levy and O’Hara as Mitch and Mickey.”
Viewers also appreciated the ‘gentle charm’ of A Mighty Wind, with one commenting: “Funny and lovely. This should definitely be considered a classic. I feared the music would be annoying, but instead it was delightful, while still room for plenty of parody.”
But that’s not all; What’s On Netflix reports that other films featuring O’Hara such as 1985’s After Hours, 1996’s Waiting for Guffman, 1998’s Home Fries, and 2006’s For Your Consideration have also been included.
Following the news of her passing, Eugene Levy, along with Dan Levy, shared heartfelt tributes to O’Hara. Eugene expressed: “Words seem inadequate to express the loss I feel today. I had the honor of knowing and working with the great Catherine O’Hara for over fifty years.
“From our beginnings on the Second City stage, to SCTV, to the movies we did with Chris Guest, to our six glorious years on Schitt’s Creek, I cherished our working relationship, but most of all our friendship. And I will miss her.
“My heart goes out to Bo, Matthew, Luke and the entire O’Hara family.”
Her co-stars also offered their condolences, with Macaulay Culkin, who played her on-screen son in Home Alone, writing: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you.
“I heard you, but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”