The Comedian

Catherine O’Hara has been entertaining and delighting movie-goers and TV-watchers for over 40 years. Widely recognized as one of the greatest comedic minds of this generation, it was her role as the inimitable Moira Rose, matriarch of the Schitt family in Schitt’s Creek, that earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics Choise Award, Screen Actor’s Guild Award and Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement. She became the fourth person in history to win all five major TV acting awards in one awards season and solidified her status as one of the greats.

By Lara Jean Chorostecki | Actor

You’d be hard-pressed to find another actress more lauded than Catherine O’Hara. Emmys, Golden Globe, SAGs and CSAs, this Order of Canada and Governor General’s Award recipient has made her mark on our screens and imprinted into pop culture’s psyche for over four decades.

Catherine’s commitment to her craft results in incredibly memorable performances where she somehow is both instantly recognizable and simultaneously disappears completely behind her carefully inhabited characters. What actor out there doesn’t wish they could emulate the incredible technical prowess and comedic agility required to produce Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek, Mickey Crabbe from A Mighty Wind or even Kate McCallister’s infamous, “Kevin!” from Home Alone?

Catherine is a pioneer in creating characters that make our stomachs hurt from laughter while our hearts feel deeply. Over a remarkable 40-plus year career, her influence can be felt in entertainment around the globe. It’s not easy at the best of times to be an actress in film and television, and Catherine’s endurance is a testament to her incredible artistic spirit and deep well of talent, which she draws from time and time again.

Catherine’s playful spirit keeps us guessing what she could possibly do next, holding our breath with eager anticipation, knowing we are bound to be delighted. Catherine’s oeuvre is one that never tires on a rewatch, always ages impeccably and will continue to inspire for generations to come.

See our full list of Toronto’s most inspiring women of 2021 here.