At the 2026 Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards in Los Angeles on February 8, directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg delivered a moving tribute to actress Catherine O’Hara while accepting the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series for their show, The Studio. Their acknowledgment of O’Hara highlighted her profound influence on their careers and the industry.
O’Hara’s Impact on Rogen and Goldberg’s Careers
During their acceptance speech, Seth Rogen expressed a deep desire to thank Catherine O’Hara in person, emphasizing her importance to them. Evan Goldberg explained that both he and Rogen, who grew up in Canada, idolized O’Hara from childhood. Their connection to her work was evident and heartfelt.
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,
Rogen said, prompting enthusiastic applause from the audience. 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.
O’Hara’s Role in The Studio and Her Legacy
Catherine O’Hara portrayed Patty Leigh, a movie executive, in all ten episodes of the first season of Apple TV’s comedy series The Studio. Her performance earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, marking a notable achievement shortly before her passing.
O’Hara passed away at her Los Angeles home on January 30, following a brief illness. She was 71 years old. Her death resonated deeply with those who worked alongside her, as well as with fans worldwide.
Cherished Memories and Personal Reflections
Seth Rogen recounted how O’Hara’s work in the film Home Alone inspired his passion for filmmaking, calling it a pivotal influence that motivated him to pursue the craft. He shared a lighthearted moment from the set of The Studio, noting the similarity between O’Hara’s on-screen character and her off-screen demeanor.
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.’
Goldberg highlighted O’Hara’s remarkable blend of talent and kindness, describing her as an extraordinary 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,
he said.
Final Words of Appreciation and Industry Response
Rogen concluded the speech by stressing the dedication with which the team worked to honor O’Hara’s contribution to the show, and by thanking her profoundly.
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,
he stated.
Following her passing, the cast, crew, and producers of The Studio, along with Apple TV and Lionsgate Television, released joint statements conveying their heartbreak over the loss of O’Hara, reflecting on her impact within the entertainment community.
The Enduring Influence of Catherine O’Hara
Catherine O’Hara’s legacy is marked by her exceptional performances, such as Patty Leigh in The Studio, and her influential roles in beloved films like Home Alone. The tribute by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg at the DGA Awards underscores her lasting contribution to acting and directing, as well as the personal inspiration she provided to those who admired her work. Her passing leaves a significant void, but her influence will continue to resonate throughout the industry.
