Seth Rogen paid a heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara during his acceptance speech at the Directors Guild Awards on February 7. The tribute followed the late actor’s passing at age 71 on January 30, shortly after a brief illness. O’Hara was widely celebrated for her recent role as Hollywood executive Patty Leigh in The Studio.
Remembering Catherine O’Hara’s Impact on Comedy and Film
<pWhen accepting the award for Best Comedy Series alongside Evan Goldberg, Rogen reflected on O’Hara’s profound influence on both their careers and the show itself. The creators spoke about their long-lasting admiration for O’Hara, describing her as
our idol since we were children
, a nod to her unforgettable performance as Kevin McAllister’s mother in the first two Home Alone movies.
Rogen shared that the film Home Alone had inspired him deeply:
Home Alone, honestly, is like the movie that made me wanna make movies in a lot of ways,
he explained. He recalled how O’Hara’s signature calls of “Kevin, Kevin” on screen were echoed on set, saying,
In that movie, she’s always yelling ‘Kevin, Kevin,’ and on set she would always be yelling, ‘Evan, Evan,’ and every time she did it we were like, It’s like Home Alone.
Celebrating O’Hara’s Genius and Kindness
Rogen praised not only O’Hara’s immense talent but also her remarkable warmth, stating,
The best part of her is she showed that you can be an utter genius and also the nicest person in the entire world,
and emphasized the team’s commitment by saying,
Every day, we work very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence. So ultimately we would like to thank the DGA for this, but we would mostly like to thank Catherine O’Hara.
Tributes from Fellow Artists and Friends
Following the announcement of O’Hara’s death, Macaulay Culkin—her son in the Home Alone films—expressed his own sorrow, reflecting that he had thought we had time with her. Dan Levy, creator and star of Schitt’s Creek, also shared a moving tribute. Levy highlighted the privilege of collaborating with O’Hara, who portrayed his character’s mother, Moira Rose, calling it a gift to have been able to dance in the warm glow of her talent for many years.
Levy recalled,
What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years,
and added,
Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.
O’Hara also contributed to The Last of Us, where her co-star Pedro Pascal joined others in honoring her legacy after her passing.
Looking Ahead: A Lasting Legacy in Comedy and Film
Catherine O’Hara’s work has left an enduring mark on the entertainment industry, inspiring generations with her comedic brilliance and kindness. Seth Rogen’s tribute underscored not only her influence on the current generation of creators but also the deep respect and affection she earned throughout her career. As audiences and peers continue to celebrate her contributions, her presence will remain a guiding force in comedy and storytelling.
