5. Kate McCallister
Home Alone (1990) & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Arguably O’Hara’s most notable role, the mom from Home Alone stands out as a strong, memorable character in these time-honoured films. After accidentally leaving her son, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) alone at Christmastime, Kate must find a way back to him during the busiest travel season of the year while also confronting her own flaws as a parent. With a solid balance of heartfelt moments and hilarious lines that still get quoted year-round, O’Hara’s performance as Kevin’s questionable, but ultimately loving mother remains an unforgettable classic.
4. Delia Deetz
Beetlejuice (1988) & Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Another mother with controversial parenting tactics, Delia’s vibrantly entertaining character simply would not exist without O’Hara. A narcissistic sculptor, Delia faces a series of challenges after moving from flashy New York to the modest town of Winter River — including her strained relationship with her step-daughter, Lydia (Winona Ryder) and, of course, the ghosts haunting their attic. With an amusing flair for the dramatic, O’Hara’s appearances in both Beetlejuice movies guarantees laughter.
3. Dutchess Rowena
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
Though this O’Hara role ranks third on my list, it will forever be my inner-child’s favourite. O’Hara embodies the film’s antagonist so well that I’m pretty sure she was the first fictional character my six-year-old self ever truly hated. I mean, anyone who literally poisons their cousin and abuses his daughters has got to be evil.
Now, when I shamelessly rewatch this movie as an adult, that childhood hatred has softened into admiration for O’Hara’s voice-acting talent. I just wish there were behind-the-scenes clips of her recording as Rowena because it’s still crazy to me that she voiced this iconic childhood villain.
2. Sally
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Who could forget Halloween Town’s greatest ragdoll? When Jack Skellington (played by both Chris Sarandon and Danny Elfman) tries to appropriate Christmas traditions, Sally does everything she can to prevent the fallout while also seeking freedom from her creator (William Hickey).
O’Hara’s acting skills are put on full display in this movie, especially when you consider how different Sally is from her other roles. As Sally, she shows off a gentler voice and sings like a haunted angel. Her moving performance brings to life Sally’s kind and levelheaded nature — a far cry from the hilariously melodramatic characters she often played.
1. Moira Rose
Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
While every one of O’Hara’s characters was played to perfection, her time as the endlessly eccentric— and (rightfully) egotistical — Moira Rose left the most lasting impact. There are so many reasons this role (and the entire show, really) deserves the hype. Schitt’s Creek was produced and filmed in O’Hara’s homeland of Ontario, Canada. More than that, it was created by her long-time friend and collaborator Eugene Levy, and his son, Dan, who also starred alongside her on the show. The personal nature of Schitt’s Creek allowed for O’Hara’s own creative flair to shine through the screen, as seen when O’Hara crafted Moira’s unique accent and suggested the character’s array of wigs — both beloved staples of the character.
Aside from all the behind-the-scenes context, O’Hara’s portrayal of Moira is also just plain hilarious. Iconic lines like “stop acting like a disgruntled pelican” and her unforgettable pronunciation of “bébé” are in no short supply. Other times, Moira could be surprisingly emotional, giving O’Hara the chance to display the character’s range.
It’s hard to imagine anyone else pulling off these compelling characters the way O’Hara did. Her endless hilarity, creative spirit, and unmistakable charm make it easy to see why she was, quite simply, the best.
