The latest episode of Saturday Night Live became a deeply emotional affair for its audience, as the long-running NBC programme honoured the late Catherine O'Hara following her passing. The beloved Hollywood actress died at her Los Angeles home on Friday at the age of 71, with the Daily Mail confirming her death came "following a brief illness." Her specific cause of death remains undisclosed to the public.
A Poignant On-Screen Memorial
In a moving gesture, the show paid tribute to the two-time SNL host and former cast member during its January 31st broadcast. A solemn photograph of O'Hara was displayed on screen towards the episode's conclusion, which featured Alexander Skarsgård as host and Cardi B as the musical guest. This visual memorial served as a stark reminder of the comedy world's profound loss.
Fans Overwhelmed with Grief
Viewers were quick to express their raw emotions on social media platform X in the aftermath of the tribute. The collective response highlighted how powerfully the moment resonated. One fan poignantly wrote, "SNL didn't think we'd cried enough over Catherine O'Hara this weekend," capturing the sentiment of many. Another simply posted, "catherine o'hara tribute on snl :(" while a third stated, "#SNL honoring the late and great Catherine O'Hara really punched me in the gut oh god." Additional tributes included "R.I.P. Catherine O'Hara. #SNL" and "Catherine o’hara tribute on snl," demonstrating the widespread impact of the memorial.
A Complicated History with the Show
Catherine O'Hara's relationship with Saturday Night Live was notably complex. She joined the cast for the show's sixth season in the early 1980s, arriving with significant sketch comedy experience from the Canadian series SCTV. In a 2024 reflection, the Home Alone star revealed she had anticipated feeling immediately at home on the SNL stage. However, her tenure proved unexpectedly brief; she departed after just one week without filming a single episode, choosing to return to what she described as her "family" at SCTV.
Despite this abrupt exit, there appears to have been no lasting bitterness. O'Hara was invited back to host the iconic show on two separate occasions, indicating a mutual respect. She first hosted in April 1991 during Season 16, and returned for a second hosting stint in October 1992 as part of Season 18.
A Celebrated Career and Legacy
O'Hara's illustrious career spanned decades and iconic roles. She is perhaps most famously remembered as Kate McCallister, the mother in the first two Home Alone films starring Macaulay Culkin. Her portrayal of the eccentric Moira Rose on the critically acclaimed series Schitt's Creek earned her an Emmy Award in 2020. Her filmography also includes memorable parts in Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind. More recently, she starred as Patty Leigh in Apple TV+'s The Studio.
The legendary actress worked alongside countless Hollywood A-listers, many of whom shared heartfelt tributes following her death. Macaulay Culkin, her on-screen son, posted a particularly emotional message: "Mama. I thought we had time," accompanied by photos from Home Alone and a more recent reunion. He continued, "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." This personal tribute underscores the deep affection and respect O'Hara garnered from her peers and the public alike, a sentiment powerfully echoed by SNL's televised farewell.
