Jenna Ortega Breaks Silence After Catherine O’Hara’s Death

Jenna Ortega is the most recent star to honor Catherine O’Hara following the legendary actress’ demise at 71. Ortega, who starred alongside O’Hara in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” shared a two-photo tribute on Instagram remembering their time working collectively. The submit included a close-up picture of O’Hara, in addition to a black-and-white picture displaying Ortega with O’Hara and different solid members on set. Alongside the images, Jenna Ortega shared a heartfelt message in regards to the influence Catherine O’Hara had on her.

“Catherine is likely one of the most lovely folks I’ve ever had the respect of attending to work with and know,” Ortega wrote. “I’ll perpetually cherish the time we shared collectively, and the whole lot she taught me.”

She went on to name O’Hara “an enormous and an inspiration in some ways,” including, “One of many greats. Thanks a lot for all of it.”

Followers rapidly flooded the feedback with condolences. “She will probably be missed, might she relaxation in peace,” one consumer wrote as one other mentioned, “Relaxation in peace to an absolute legend.” A 3rd chimed in with, “I am certain she discovered loads from you, too. You are robust, Jenna.”

Ortega and O’Hara labored collectively on the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 basic, the place O’Hara reprised her iconic function as Delia Deetz. The undertaking introduced collectively a brand new technology of stars with one in every of comedy’s most enduring figures.

Simply final yr, O’Hara and Ortega mirrored on their time working collectively whereas selling “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” providing followers a glimpse into how their on-screen second got here collectively.

Talking to NME, O’Hara revealed that the scene’s actions have been largely developed by the 2 actresses themselves, with assist from a choreographer. Ortega credited her co-star with shaping the inventive route, telling O’Hara, “You have been the inspiration behind the efficiency artwork side of it. I believe it learn on the web page as a correct dance, and also you sparked an concept.”

O’Hara expanded on that method, explaining that she wished the actions to really feel surprising reasonably than conventional. “I wished the extra… illogical to my thoughts… dance strikes that sort of imply nothing,” she mentioned, clarifying that her objective was to lean into one thing eccentric reasonably than structured.

Ortega recalled the pair experimenting collectively off-set, saying they have been in a tent close by when concepts began flowing. “We have been like, ‘Oh, it’s humorous if you try this,’” she mentioned. O’Hara added that Ortega instantly “laid down on the ground and did” a dramatic pose, and from there, they merely dedicated to it.

In one other interview that followers are actually revisiting, O’Hara spoke candidly in regards to the function humor performed in her life and work. Opening as much as Fashion Magazine, the actress shared a perspective that many now see as deeply reflective of her legacy.

“Life is darkish,” O’Hara mentioned on the time. “It’s onerous to develop up, and it’s onerous to be a grown-up. It’s onerous to take care of life. However discovering a technique to snicker on the darkness is the perfect reward we could possibly be given.”

Ortega then chimed in, “Bizarre is authentic. Particularly in a time like this, the place everyone seems to be beginning to look the identical and sound the identical, [when] you’re solely allowed to say or do sure issues, it’s good to not conform.” To which O’Hara added, “God forbid you have got an authentic thought,” letting out a theatrical sigh earlier than cracking a smile.

Throughout the closing moments of Saturday night time’s episode, the longtime NBC sketch sequence briefly displayed a tribute card on display, that includes a throwback picture of O’Hara alongside her title.

The present later shared the tribute on X, posting a picture of the cardboard adopted by a coronary heart emoji, sparking an outpouring of reactions from followers who applauded the gesture and shared their very own recollections of the comedy icon.