Discover Their Love Story!

The much-anticipated sequel to the cult classic Beetlejuice (1988), titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), brings back much of the original cast, stirring up a wave of nostalgia among fans. Alongside new faces such as Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, the film sees the return of beloved actors Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara. The movie is set to hit theaters on September 6, and the excitement is palpable.

The sequel made its debut at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, drawing attention not just for the film itself but also for the star-studded appearances on the red carpet. Catherine O’Hara, wearing a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown, walked the red carpet with none other than her husband, Bo Welch. This sight would be incomplete without the heartwarming backstory of how the couple met.

Back in 1988, during the filming of the original Beetlejuice, Catherine O’Hara played the role of Delia Deetz, the quirky stepmother to Winona Ryder’s character. This role was a significant one for O’Hara, who would later be celebrated for her performances in Home Alone (1990), Best in Show (2000), and the hit series Schitt’s Creek.

However, Beetlejuice holds a special place in O’Hara’s heart for another reason—it’s where she met Bo Welch, the production designer of the film. O’Hara confessed to ELLE Canada that she had noted in her diary back then, “We’re supposed to get married someday, so I wish he would ask me out.” Luckily for her, Welch did ask her out, thanks in part to their director, Tim Burton.

In a 2023 interview with Etalk, O’Hara shared that Beetlejuice remains incredibly special to her, as it’s the movie where her romance with Welch blossomed. “[Director] Tim Burton made him ask me out,” she revealed. Their early flirtations were like something out of a high school romance, with O’Hara humorously noting in a 2020 Q&A with TIFF, “It was like high school. ‘Oh, he talked to me today! He talked to me for three minutes! He talked to me for seven minutes!’”

By 1992, O’Hara and Welch tied the knot and went on to have two sons. Their enduring marriage has been marked by mutual admiration and a strong sense of humor. In her interview with ELLE Canada, O’Hara shared, “My husband and I laugh about everything all day long. That’s the best. Or if we get into a fight, we’ll actually make fun of each other to break the tension. It really helps.”

As fans eagerly await the theatrical release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sweet story of Catherine O’Hara and Bo Welch serves as a charming backdrop to the film that brought them together. This sequel is set to provide not only a dose of Halloween fun but also a heartwarming reminder of the love story that began on its set so many years ago.

Source: ELLE Canada, Etalk, TIFF