At the 2026 Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards held in Los Angeles on February 8, directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg honored the late actress Catherine O’Hara while accepting their award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series for “The Studio.” Their tribute recognized O’Hara’s lasting impact on their careers and the entertainment industry.
Heartfelt Tribute During Acceptance Speech
During their acceptance remarks, Rogen and Goldberg openly expressed their deep admiration for Catherine O’Hara. Rogen told the audience that she was the person they most wished to thank in person for supporting their work. Goldberg shared that both he and Rogen grew up in Canada and that O’Hara had been a key inspiration throughout their childhood.
Honestly, there’s no one we wish we could thank in person at this moment more than we would love to thank Catherine O’Hara,
Seth Rogen said, prompting an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Evan Goldberg added,
We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were kids,
according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Catherine O’Hara’s Role and Recent Passing
O’Hara appeared as movie executive Patty Leigh in all ten episodes of the first season of Apple TV’s comedy “The Studio,” which earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Tragically, Catherine O’Hara passed away on January 30 in her Los Angeles home following a brief illness. She was 71 years old.
Influence on Seth Rogen’s Filmmaking Career
Seth Rogen also reflected on how Catherine O’Hara’s performance in the film “Home Alone” inspired him to pursue filmmaking. He described the movie as a pivotal influence that sparked his passion for making movies. Rogen recalled moments on set, likening O’Hara’s character’s frequent calls of “Kevin” to how she would address him and Goldberg during filming.
Home Alone honestly is the movie that made me want to make movies in a lot of ways.
And I mean, 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.’
Character and Professional Dedication Remembered
Evan Goldberg praised O’Hara as both brilliant and kind, emphasizing the balance she maintained between genius and warmth. He noted how their team worked diligently on “The Studio” to honor her contributions and time. Rogen ended their tribute by expressing gratitude to both the Directors Guild and most of all, to Catherine O’Hara herself for being such an exceptional individual.
The best part of her is that she showed you can be an utter genius and also the nicest person in the entire world,
Goldberg remarked.
Every day, we worked 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 for being such a wonderful person,
Rogen concluded their speech.
Industry’s Collective Mourning and Tribute
Following O’Hara’s passing, the cast, producers, and crew of “The Studio” paid their respects. Apple TV and Lionsgate Television jointly expressed their sorrow over the loss of an influential talent, highlighting the void left by her departure from the industry.
Legacy and Continuing Impact
Seth Rogen’s tribute to Catherine O’Hara at the DGA Awards underscores her importance as both an artist and a person who deeply inspired colleagues and audiences alike. Her work in the comedy series and lasting influence on fellow creators emphasize her enduring legacy. As fans and professionals remember her contributions, the respect voiced at these awards highlights the significant mark she left on Canadian and American entertainment.
