The Iconic Voice Behind Sally: Where Is Catherine O'Hara Now And Her Shocking Return To Halloween Town

The gentle, stitched-together ragdoll Sally, the true heart of Halloween Town, has one of the most distinctive and beloved voices in stop-motion animation history. As of December 12, 2025, the iconic actress who brought Sally to life in Tim Burton's 1993 classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, is none other than the legendary comedian and performer, Catherine O'Hara. Her performance imbued the character with a quiet strength, deep sincerity, and a thoughtful melancholy that remains instantly recognizable three decades later. The enduring popularity of Sally, Jack Skellington's love interest and Dr. Finkelstein's creation, has kept O'Hara's name firmly attached to the holiday classic, even as she continues to dominate screens with major new projects.

The latest updates on Catherine O'Hara reveal an incredible career resurgence, including a recent return to her beloved character and starring roles in some of the most anticipated film and television projects of 2024 and 2025. Her work as Sally, however, is just one facet of a career that spans decades of comedic genius and dramatic depth, a testament to her versatility as a voice and screen actress.

Catherine O'Hara: A Complete Biography and Filmography Snapshot

Catherine O'Hara is a Canadian-American actress, comedian, writer, and singer, celebrated for her work in sketch comedy, film, and television. Her career is marked by collaborations with major comedic figures and directors, including Eugene Levy, Christopher Guest, and Tim Burton, making her one of the most respected performers of her generation.

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• Full Name: Catherine Anne O'Hara
• Date of Birth: March 4, 1954
• Age (as of 2025): 71
• Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian and American
• Spouse: Bo Welch (m. 1992)
• Children: Two sons (Matthew and Luke)
• Notable Roles (Film): Kate McCallister (Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York), Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), Marilyn Hack (Best in Show), Carol Anne (After Hours).
• Notable Roles (Television): Moira Rose (Schitt's Creek), Various Characters (SCTV), Guest Star (The Last of Us Season 2).
• Key Voice Roles: Sally and Shock (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Miss Malone (Pippi Longstocking), Penny (Where the Wild Things Are).
• Major Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (for *SCTV* and *Schitt's Creek*), Golden Globe Award (for *Schitt's Creek*), Screen Actors Guild Award (for *Schitt's Creek*).

O'Hara's ability to seamlessly transition between over-the-top, theatrical characters like Moira Rose and the subtle, heartfelt delivery of Sally showcases her immense range. It’s this emotional nuance that made her the perfect choice to voice the lonely, yet determined, ragdoll.

The Dual Role: Sally and Shock in Halloween Town

What many fans often forget is that Catherine O'Hara pulled double duty in the original 1993 stop-motion masterpiece. She not only voiced the protagonist's love interest, Sally, but also one of the mischievous trick-or-treaters: Shock.

This dual performance is a subtle masterclass in vocal acting:

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• Sally: Her voice is soft, measured, and full of quiet yearning. It conveys the character's Frankenstein-esque origins as a stitched-together creation of the mad scientist Dr. Finkelstein, who constantly tries to keep her under lock and key. Sally's voice is the sound of a trapped soul longing for freedom and connection with Jack Skellington.
• Shock: In stark contrast, Shock, one of the trio of Lock, Shock, and Barrel, has a high-pitched, cackling, and bratty voice. This character is instrumental in kidnapping Santa Claus, and O'Hara’s performance gives her a distinctly sinister, yet childish, edge.

The fact that the same actress could voice both the heartfelt heroine and one of the primary antagonists' henchmen speaks volumes about her talent. It’s a detail that adds an extra layer of appreciation for her contribution to the film's unique soundscape.

A Surprising Return: Reprising Sally in Live Concerts and Other Voices

While O'Hara’s original performance is canonical, the role of Sally has seen some interesting developments in recent years, particularly in live performances and video games. This provides a crucial piece of fresh information for fans and a testament to the character's lasting appeal.

The Hollywood Bowl Reprisals

In a major treat for fans, Catherine O'Hara has recently reprised her role as Sally for special live-to-film concert events of The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Hollywood Bowl. These concerts feature the original film score and songs performed live by an orchestra, with the original cast members singing their parts.

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• Alternating Performers: For some of these high-profile events, O'Hara has shared the role with other famous singers. In one recent production, she was slated to perform as Sally on the closing night, while artists like Halsey and Billie Eilish voiced the character on preceding nights. This alternating cast highlights the character's cultural significance, drawing major talent to the role.

The Voice of Sally in Video Games

For various video game appearances and other Disney media where Catherine O'Hara is unavailable, the voice of Sally is often provided by another highly respected voice actress, Kath Soucie. Soucie has voiced Sally and Shock in the popular Kingdom Hearts video game series, ensuring the character’s voice remains consistent across different platforms and spin-offs. This is a key piece of trivia for dedicated fans of the franchise.

Catherine O'Hara's Blockbuster Future: 2024 and 2025 Projects

Beyond her legacy in Halloween Town, Catherine O'Hara is currently experiencing a massive career high, securing major roles that keep her firmly in the spotlight. This recent work establishes her topical authority and relevance in the current entertainment landscape.

Reuniting with Tim Burton in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

In one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, O'Hara reprised her iconic role as Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which was released in September 2024. This reunion with director Tim Burton and co-star Winona Ryder is a full-circle moment for fans who love her unique, eccentric characters and further solidifies her creative partnership with the director who brought Sally to the screen.

Joining the Critically Acclaimed The Last of Us (2025)

O'Hara is set to join the cast of the critically acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us for its second season, which is expected to air in 2025. While details about her role are kept tightly under wraps, her involvement in a major, prestige drama series highlights her appeal to a new generation of viewers and her ability to tackle serious, high-stakes material. This casting is a significant indicator of her continued relevance and star power.

New Comedy Series

She is also set to star in an upcoming comedy series from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, a project that was ordered to series in late 2022 and is currently in production. This return to a leading role in a comedy series is a welcome development for fans of her comedic work, particularly those who adored her performance as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek.

From the quiet, sincere voice of Sally in 1993 to a starring role in the biggest TV drama of 2025, Catherine O'Hara’s career is a masterclass in enduring talent. Her work on The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a foundational element of her legacy, proving that even a stitched-up ragdoll can possess one of Hollywood's most powerful and versatile voices.