Henry Selick Remembers Catherine O'Hara Following Her Unexpected Death
Henry Selick, the acclaimed director who worked with Catherine O'Hara on the beloved animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, has paid a moving tribute to the actress following her unexpected death at the age of 71. O'Hara passed away at her Los Angeles home "following a brief illness," as confirmed by reports on Friday.
A Lasting Admiration From Early Days
Selick, now 73, revealed his long-standing admiration for O'Hara, telling sources exclusively: "I've loved Catherine O'Hara ever since Second City TV, the Canadian comedy show she starred in and helped create." He described the wonder of eventually collaborating with her when she voiced the character of Sally in the iconic stop-motion film he directed for Tim Burton's production.
The director recalled O'Hara as being "a little intimidating – so smart and attractive, a total pro who asked tough questions." He shared a particularly memorable exchange from their recording sessions, where he once requested: "Catherine, could you be more emotional in the next take?" To which she cleverly retorted: "Uh, exactly which emotion did you have in mind, Henry?"
Professional Challenges and Mutual Respect
Looking back fondly on their collaboration, Selick acknowledged: "Oh, she hated how many different takes I'd ask for." However, he added that years later, O'Hara told him she finally understood his approach, recognising that was how he was "finding and building the character."
Their professional relationship endured beyond The Nightmare Before Christmas. Selick reminisced about a grand reunion a decade after the film's release when a 3D version was created, bringing together Tim Burton, Glen Shadix, Rick Heinrichs, and O'Hara. He particularly cherishes a joyful photo he took of O'Hara laughing while wearing a black bucket hat over her braids, describing it as one of his "favorites."
An Unfinished Collaboration and Lasting Legacy
The visionary stop-motion animator had the opportunity to work with O'Hara again in 2011 on the animated film The Shadow King, where she was cast as Old Fern, "a bitter old lady with moths in her hair who'd lost her shadow when she was a girl." Selick recalled that O'Hara initially missed her first recording session, telling him: "I did too many takes." After he promised to limit takes to fewer than ten per line, she finally participated and created what he described as "the perfect voice to go with the design and story of Fern."
Tragically, this collaboration never reached completion, as Selick explained: "Unfortunately, endless notes from the studio caused the budget to balloon and our film was shut down." Despite this, he remained deeply inspired by her work, noting they had animated several wonderful scenes together.
A Career Celebrated and Family Remembered
O'Hara, who is survived by her husband Bo Welch, 74, and their sons Matthew, 32, and Luke, 29, enjoyed a celebrated career spanning decades. She was particularly renowned for playing Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek, earning an Emmy Award in 2020 for her performance. More recently, she starred as Patty Leigh in Apple TV+'s The Studio.
Selick expressed his sorrow at her sudden passing, stating: "Catherine's sudden passing is such a wrenching surprise, everyone who learns of it is saddened." He extended his "deepest condolences to her whole family, especially her sweet sons and her husband, Bo Welch."
A Lasting Impact on Fans and Colleagues
The director reflected on how O'Hara's legacy would endure, musing: "Like myself, I expect her millions of fans will be rewatching Schitt's Creek for the umpteenth time, so enjoying the gift she shared with the world." He added that he had "so looked forward to future seasons and anything else she decided to do."
Selick's own career continued to flourish after The Nightmare Before Christmas, with subsequent projects including the 1996 Disney film James And The Giant Peach, 2009's critically acclaimed Coraline, and his most recent 2022 Netflix release Wendell & Wild. Throughout his reflections, he consistently returned to the profound impact O'Hara had on those who worked with her and the millions who enjoyed her performances.
As the entertainment world mourns the loss of this talented actress, Selick's heartfelt tribute serves as a testament to O'Hara's professionalism, wit, and enduring legacy in both comedy and animation.
