Last month, the world lost a comedy icon. Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71— a devastating loss for so many. O’Hara’s talent, heart, and humour touched countless people throughout her decades-long career in comedy, film, and TV. Whether it was through her iconic role on Schitt’s Creek as the one and only Moira Rose, Kevin’s frantic mother in the Home Alone films, or Delia Deetz in the Beetlejuice franchise, O’Hara was known for bringing emotional depth to her comedic performances, instilling a deeply human aspect in her quirky characters.

But before any of those career-defining roles, O’Hara was making Canadian audiences laugh for years on SCTV (Second City Television), a groundbreaking sketch show that ran from 1976 to 1984. Known for its sharp satire, offbeat sketches, and distinctly Canadian point of view, SCTV was a hugely influential series in Canadian comedy, launching the careers of icons like O’Hara, her Schitt’s Creek co-star Eugene Levy, John Candy, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Andrea Martin, and Dave Thomas. The Second City recently announced that the series will be available to stream in its entirety for the first time ever, starting on March 3 on Prime Video. 

On SCTV, O’Hara was known for her spot-on impressions of celebrities from Meryl Streep to Brooke Shields to Lucille Ball. She also stood out for her ability to fully embody her many memorably wacky characters, including Lola Heatherton and Dusty Towne. O’Hara also contributed to the program as a writer, which earned her an Emmy Award in 1982.

It will be a treat to revisit some of O’Hara’s comedic highlights when the entire series is available to stream on March 3. Until then, here are some of our favourite Catherine O’Hara clips from her time on SCTV:


The Brooke Shields Show

Catherine O’Hara’s satirical imitation of superstar Brooke Shields is a classic!


The Dusty Towne Sexy Holiday Special

Catherine O’Hara keeps the laughs going as her character Dusty Towne, with holiday song parodies, stories, and a sexy Christmas poem.


Perma-Lacque Hair Spray Commercial

A hairspray commercial gone wrong, starring Catherine O’Hara and her indestructible hair!