RIP Terrence O'Hara

 

Smallville, Angel Director Terrence O'Hara Dies at 76

Terrence O'Hara, the prolific television director who helmed shows like NCIS and Angel, passes away at 76 after a five-year battle with cancer.

 

CBR

By Emily Zogbi

!2/11/2022

 

Television director Terrence O'Hara, known for his work on shows like Angel, Smallville and NCIS, has died.

His daughter, Maddie O'Hara, shared the news on Instagram that he had passed away on Dec. 5 after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. "I’ve always imagined him walking me down the aisle, watching his grandkids grow up, and getting old at the lake with my mom. But cancers a bitch, and his life was cut too short," O'Hara wrote. "He’s been quietly battling for the past 5 years, this whole time, directing, working, fighting, and smiling through it."

"There are no words to describe the amount of love and life he radiated," O'Hara continued. "There are also words to describe the hole that is left on my heart, along with my mom, brother, and sister. We are at peace knowing he is no longer suffering, no longer in pain, no longer struggling. But it will never feel right, it will never feel normal. He was ready to be with his beautiful parents, sisters, and brother, where I can guarantee he’s up there directing the shit out of everyone."

Born in 1945, Terrence O'Hara led an extensive career as a television director and worked on a variety of popular television shows. He is perhaps best known for his work on NCIS, starting in 2003, for which he directed 56 episodes. He also directed for the crime drama's various spinoff shows like NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans. Apart from NCIS, he also served as a director on shows like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff series, Angel, from 2002 to 2004 and Smallville from 2001 to 2007. Other notable projects that O'Hara worked on included Heroes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Shield, The X-Files, Star Trek: Voyager, JAG and Touched by an Angel, among many others.

O'Hara is also credited on The Blacklist, Grimm, Rosewood, Legends, Magic City, Rizzoli & Isles, Nikita, Lie to Me, Doll House and Sons of Anarchy. Prior to his work behind the camera, the veteran director appeared as an actor in Ryan’s Hope (1978), Mrs. Columbo (1979), CHiPs (1981), The Greatest American Hero (1980), Voyagers! (1982), Naked Vengeance (1985) and The Devastator (1986).

O'Hara is survived by his wife, actor Shanna Reed, his son and two daughters.

O’HARA, Terrence

Born: 12/25/1945, U.S.A.

Died: 12/5/2022, Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.A.

 

Terrence O’Hara’s western – director:

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (TV) – 1993-1995