Directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg paid heartfelt tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara during their acceptance speech for the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series at the 2026 DGA Awards. As they received the award for their series, The Studio, Rogen expressed his admiration for O’Hara, stating, “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.”
The audience responded with applause as Goldberg added, “literally our idol since we were children.” Rogen reflected on O’Hara’s impactful role in the beloved Home Alone franchise, recalling how it inspired his own filmmaking ambitions. “Home Alone honestly is the movie that made me want to make movies in a lot of ways,” he said. He humorously noted that her iconic line, “Kevin, Kevin,” resonated with him on set, where she would often call out, “Evan, Evan!”
Goldberg praised O’Hara’s duality as a creative genius and a genuinely kind person. “The best part of her is she showed that you can be an utter genius and also the nicest person in the entire world,” he remarked. He continued by highlighting their dedication to making the show worthy of her presence, saying, “Every day we worked very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence.”
As they concluded their speech, Rogen expressed gratitude to the Directors Guild of America, but emphasized their appreciation for O’Hara. “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 said.
O’Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles, after a brief illness. She was 71 years old. Following her death, the cast, crew, and producers of The Studio shared their grief, with a joint statement from Apple TV and Lionsgate Television expressing, “We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara.”
The impact of O’Hara’s work continues to resonate with fans and colleagues alike, as tributes pour in from across the entertainment industry. Her legacy as a talented actress and beloved figure will undoubtedly endure in the hearts of many.
