Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy's Oscars Magic

The comedic duo delivered an unforgettable performance of "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" at the 2004 Academy Awards.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:55pm

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In 2004, comedic actors Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy took the Oscars stage to perform "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" from the Christopher Guest mockumentary film A Mighty Wind. Their emotional and nuanced duet, which recreated the on-screen chemistry of their long-estranged folk singer characters, is considered one of the most unique and memorable musical performances in Oscars history.

Why it matters

O'Hara and Levy's Oscars performance highlighted their decades-long creative partnership, showcasing their ability to balance heartfelt emotion with comedic sensibilities. It also shone a light on A Mighty Wind, a critically acclaimed but commercially overlooked film that marked the only time a Christopher Guest movie received an Oscar nomination.

The details

In the film, O'Hara and Levy played Mitch and Mickey, a once-popular folk duo whose signature song was "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow." For their Oscars performance, the actors sang the bittersweet ballad live, with O'Hara playing the autoharp. When they reached the part where their characters were meant to kiss, O'Hara broke character, whispering "I can't" before Levy leaned in for the smooch, eliciting cheers from the audience.

  • The 2004 Academy Awards ceremony took place on February 29, 2004.
  • A Mighty Wind was released in theaters in April 2003.

The players

Catherine O'Hara

A renowned comedic actress known for her work with Christopher Guest, including roles in films like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, as well as her Emmy-winning performance as Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek.

Eugene Levy

A veteran comedic actor who has collaborated extensively with Catherine O'Hara, including in the Christopher Guest mockumentary films and the sitcom Schitt's Creek, for which he won an Emmy.

A Mighty Wind

A 2003 mockumentary film directed by Christopher Guest that follows the reunion of three fictional 1960s folk music groups.

"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow"

The signature song of the fictional folk duo Mitch & Mickey, played by O'Hara and Levy in A Mighty Wind.

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What they’re saying

“Beating out Robin Williams singing 'Blame Canada' at the 2000 ceremony by just a hair, these Canadians delivered my favorite Oscars musical performance of all time.”

— Rebecca Alter, Author

What’s next

While "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" did not win the Oscar for Best Original Song that year, the performance remains a beloved and unique moment in Oscars history, showcasing the chemistry and talent of O'Hara and Levy.

The takeaway

O'Hara and Levy's Oscars performance of "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" exemplified their ability to blend comedy and drama, and highlighted the enduring creative partnership between the two Canadian comedic icons.