Catherine O’Hara says the role she wanted remembered most was not a comedy, not a teen hit, and not even one of her many great characters — it was a deeply personal part she played as a mom. In a recent interview, the beloved actor opened up about her long career and how she saw herself differently from many of her iconic roles. Most people know her from classics like Home Alone, Schitt’s Creek, and Beetlejuice, but O’Hara says the part of her life she cares about most isn’t a character at all — it’s motherhood.
O’Hara, now in her early 70s, is the mother of two grown sons. She told that being a mom is the role she treasures above all else. She said it shaped her work, her priorities, and the kind of choices she made in her long career. “I definitely want to be remembered for being a good mom,” she said. “For giving my kids what they needed, and being there for them.” That statement shows how grounded she remains despite decades in Hollywood.
Catherine O’Hara first rose to fame in the 1980s with the sketch comedy series SCTV, where her sharp wit and character range made her a fan favorite. She then moved into film with memorable roles like Kate McCallister in Home Alone, where she played the frantic mother trying to get back to her son. Her performance helped cement her reputation as both a comedic genius and an emotionally grounded performer.
But it was Schitt’s Creek that gave many a new generation of fans a chance to see her depth as an actor. As Moira Rose, she delivered some of the show’s funniest and most heartfelt moments, earning her an Emmy Award along the way. The role showcased her range — from absurd humor to touching emotional scenes — but even with all that acclaim, O’Hara keeps returning in interviews to what life off-screen meant to her.
In the interview, she talked about the sacrifices actors make, especially women balancing demanding careers with family life. Many Hollywood careers slow down when actors choose parenthood, but O’Hara said she always worked while keeping her kids first. “It was chaotic at times,” she said, “but I wouldn’t change any of it.” That perspective adds a powerful layer to the Catherine O’Hara role she wanted remembered most — it isn’t framed by awards or applause, but by love and presence.
Her story resonates because it speaks to a universal truth: the roles that shape us most aren’t always the ones in the spotlight. For O’Hara, being a mom matters more than any onscreen role, and she hopes that legacy — both as a parent and as a human being — will outlive even her most famous characters.
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