Catherine O’Hara, Voice of Sally in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Dies at 71, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek. Catherine O’Hara has passed away at 71. Most people know her as the mom from Home Alone or for her wild outfits on Schitt’s Creek, but she was also a huge part of the Disney world.
She was the heart of The Nightmare Before Christmas. She played Sally, the ragdoll who stitches herself back together. She didn’t just talk for the character; she sang “Sally’s Song,” which is still the saddest, prettiest part of the whole movie. She also played Shock, one of the little kids who works for Oogie Boogie. O’Hara also showcased her immense range in the same film by voicing Shock, the high-pitched, mischievous member of Oogie Boogie’s trio of trick-or-treaters.
A Career of Disney Magic
O’Hara’s collaboration with Disney spanned decades, often bringing her unique warmth and wit to motherly (and sometimes otherworldly) roles:
- Frankenweenie (2012): Reunited with Tim Burton, O’Hara pulled triple duty, voicing Susan Frankenstein (Victor’s supportive mother), the “Weird Girl,” and the Gym Teacher.
- Elemental (2023): Most recently, she voiced Brook Ripple, the emotionally expressive and welcoming water-element mother of Wade, in the Pixar hit.
- Chicken Little (2005): She brought life to Tina, the “Alien Mom” in Disney’s first fully CGI feature.
- Brother Bear 2 (2006): She voiced Kata in the animated sequel.
- EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion: Since 2020, her iconic voice has greeted guests as the narrator of the Canada: Far and Wide 360-degree film at Walt Disney World.
From “Home Alone” to the Hollywood Bowl
Beyond her animated roles, O’Hara’s Disney connection extended to the legendary live-to-film concert events. In recent years, she frequently reprised her role as Sally at the Hollywood Bowl, performing “Sally’s Song” live to thunderous applause, proving that her vocal talent remained as sharp and stirring as it was three decades ago.
In a 2026 report by Variety, O’Hara’s manager confirmed her passing, sparking an immediate outpouring of grief from colleagues. “Catherine O’Hara didn’t just play characters; she created worlds,” noted one industry contemporary.
Whether she was playing a mother trying to get home for Christmas or a ragdoll trying to save a holiday, Catherine O’Hara brought a “humane and interior” quality to every role. For Disney fans, she will forever be the “faint little daffodil” of Halloween Town—a voice of reason, a voice of love, and a voice that will never be forgotten.
O’Hara is survived by her husband, production designer Bo Welch—whom she met on the set of Beetlejuice—and their two sons.
