Catherine O’Hara, the talented actress known for her roles in movies like “Beetlejuice” and “Home Alone,” recently made an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” O’Hara, who had previously been a part of the sketch comedy show “SCTV,” sat down with Carson to discuss her career and showcase her impressive impersonations.
Carson began the interview by praising “SCTV,” calling it one of the best comedy ensemble shows on television. He wondered why the show never had a larger audience, speculating that it may have been due to its late-night time slot. O’Hara agreed, mentioning that even now, years later, people come up to her and express how much they enjoyed watching the show as children.
Carson then brought up O’Hara’s talent for impressions, noting that she had a knack for impersonating various celebrities. O’Hara explained that she had started doing impressions at a young age, mostly imitating male impersonators since they were more prevalent at the time. She humorously recounted her early attempts at impersonating Carson himself when she was just 11 or 12 years old.
The conversation shifted to O’Hara’s time at Second City, a renowned comedy improv group, where she learned how to do impressions of women, thanks to fellow comedian Martin Short. Carson wondered if O’Hara could still remember any of the impressions she used to do, and she recalled mimicking Short’s version of Katherine Hepburn, which involved speaking in a low voice. O’Hara also mentioned learning how to imitate Elizabeth Taylor, playfully demonstrating how she would cry out her last words like, “Oh, hold me, I’ve been so lonely.”
As the interview continued, O’Hara expressed that she missed the camaraderie of being part of a talented group of comedians. Carson agreed, highlighting how they used to go down to Second City together. O’Hara, originally from Canada, now lives near the beach and shared a funny anecdote about a recent vacation with her boyfriend in Mexico. They found themselves caught in an undertow while swimming, but luckily, her boyfriend’s lifeguard skills helped them escape the dangerous situation.
The conversation veered into personal territory when Carson asked O’Hara if her relationship with her boyfriend was serious. O’Hara candidly replied that she thinks about marriage every day but couldn’t decide if it’s a natural institution or not. Carson, who had been married for a long time, shared his experience and acknowledged the challenges of marriage.
Towards the end of the interview, O’Hara’s new film, “Home Alone,” was brought up. O’Hara’s mother had seen it and loved it, sharing positive feedback with Carson’s brother and friends at their club. The interview concluded with Carson showing a clip of the movie, leaving the audience eager to watch the film themselves.
Catherine O’Hara‘s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” was a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and personal anecdotes. Her talent for impressions and her candid nature made for an entertaining and engaging interview. Fans of O’Hara and viewers of “The Tonight Show” were certainly excited to see her latest film, “Home Alone.”
Originally aired on November 15, 1990
