Right Side of Hollywood SPECIAL: A Tribute to Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

There was no one like her in the world of comedy. Nor will there ever be again. The great Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026) left us one week ago, and we fans are still feeling the heartbreak of such a massive loss.

Ryan posted the following on his Facebook page, in tribute to the cherished comic actress:

"Trying to think of a celebrity death that has hit me harder in recent years, or ever, than the unexpected passing of Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026). Her brilliant comedy and tremendous range as an actress simply cannot be overstated in its profound impact on the entertainment landscape for nearly five decades. Her unscripted touch of David (Dan Levy) when Patrick was playing 'Simply the Best' still moves me to tears. Just that subtle, instinctive move. And this beautiful duet with Eugene Levy in A Mighty Wind. From SCTV to Schitt's Creek, she was a genius and a delight. The world is a little less bright today without her in it. #RIPCatherineOHara"

Ryan's Facebook post in tribute to Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

During this special episode, we open with her hauntingly beautiful duet performance of 'Kiss at the End of the Rainbow' with Eugene Levy, nominated for an Oscar as 'Best Original Song.' Deborah Flora and Christian Toto remember the immense talent of Catherine O'Hara, fueled by her tremendous heart and warmth in each character she played.

From Delia Deetz in 'Beetlejuice' to the incomparable Moira Rose in 'Schitt's Creek,' O'Hara was seamless and effortless in portraying quirky characters with authentic joy and rare comedic instincts. Her performances in the trilogy of Christopher Guest 'mockumentaries' - 'Waiting for Guffman,' 'Best In Show,' and 'A Mighty Wind' - were pitch perfect and believable within the most ridiculous of settings and scenarios.

Her co-star in two of those films, Michael McKean, summed up her talent eloquently in a post on X:

"Catherine’s knowledge of humanity was always at the center of her comedy, no matter how absurd the character or loopy the material. She could play heartless because she was warm, brainless because she was brilliant, careless because she truly cared. Everyone loved her and everyone learned from her. This is a deep loss."

Michael McKean on Catherine O'Hara (1954-2026)

Her two scenes with John Candy in 'Home Alone' stand out for their sincerity and the magic between SCTV sketch and improv veterans inherently knowing how to land a scene, note by note. She recently participated in 'I Like Me,' a documentary about the life of John Candy, shortly before her death.