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

Jenna Ortega is the newest 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 put up included a close-up photograph of O’Hara, in addition to a black-and-white picture exhibiting Ortega with O’Hara and different forged members on set. Alongside the pictures, Jenna Ortega shared a heartfelt message in regards to the impression Catherine O’Hara had on her.

“Catherine is among the most stunning folks I’ve ever had the distinction of attending to work with and know,” Ortega wrote. “I’ll ceaselessly cherish the time we shared collectively, and the whole lot she taught me.”

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

Followers shortly flooded the feedback with condolences. “She can be missed, could she relaxation in peace,” one consumer wrote as one other stated, “Relaxation in peace to an absolute legend.” A 3rd chimed in with, “I am certain she realized 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 venture 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.

Chatting with NME, O’Hara revealed that the scene’s actions had been largely developed by the 2 actresses themselves, with assist from a choreographer. Ortega credited her co-star with shaping the artistic route, telling O’Hara, “You had been the inspiration behind the efficiency artwork facet 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 sudden slightly than conventional. “I wished the extra… illogical to my thoughts… dance strikes that type of imply nothing,” she stated, clarifying that her purpose was to lean into one thing eccentric slightly than structured.

Ortega recalled the pair experimenting collectively off-set, saying they had been in a tent close by when concepts began flowing. “We had been like, ‘Oh, it’s humorous once you do this,’” she stated. 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 at the moment are 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 stated on the time. “It’s laborious to develop up, and it’s laborious to be a grown-up. It’s laborious to take care of life. However discovering a method to snort on the darkness is the most effective present 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’ve got an authentic thought,” letting out a theatrical sigh earlier than cracking a smile.

In the course of the closing moments of Saturday evening’s episode, the longtime NBC sketch sequence briefly displayed a tribute card on display, that includes a throwback photograph 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 reminiscences of the comedy icon.