Catherine O’Hara in Animation: Her Most Memorable Roles
Screenshot from the official trailer of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024)
On January 30, the world of cinema was shaken by tragic news — legendary Canadian-American actress Catherine O’Hara passed away at the age of 71. Her death marked a profound loss for the film industry and millions of viewers around the world.
For many, she will always be remembered as Kevin’s mother, Kate McCallister, from the cult classic Home Alone, or as Gail Lynden from The Last of Us. Yet behind these instantly recognizable roles lies a far deeper and more extensive career.
Over the course of several decades in film and television, Catherine appeared in more than 50 films and TV series, and also lent her voice to dozens of animated characters — often without audiences realizing it was her.
So, we invite you to remember some of them.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
She lent her voice to the characters Sally and Shock in the iconic American gothic fantasy animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas, which has since become a true classic of the genre.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Bartok the Magnificent (1999)
In the animated film about an albino bat, O’Hara voiced Ludmilla, the advisor — a memorable supporting character.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Chicken Little (2005)
In the animated science fiction comedy Chicken Little, the actress voiced the secondary antagonist Tina, a yellow-furred alien.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Over the Hedge (2006)
In this animated film, audiences could hear her voice as Penny, a large porcupine and the mother of the family.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Brother Bear 2 (2006)
In the Disney animated film Brother Bear 2, the actress voiced Kata, one of the moose characters in the story.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Frankenweenie (2012)
In the American gothic animated comedy Frankenweenie — a remake of the 1984 short film of the same name — she voiced three different characters: Susan Frankenstein, the Gym Teacher, and the Weird Girl.
The Addams Family (2019)
In the animated film The Addams Family, Catherine lent her voice to the beloved Grandma Frump, one of the most memorable and charismatic characters in the Addams family.
Image courtesy of IMDb
Elemental (2023)
In the animated film Elemental, she voiced Brook Ripple, Wade’s loving and supportive mother.
Sadly, Catherine O’Hara is no longer with us. Yet her voice will continue to live on in our favourite animated films.
By Catherine Mills
