Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg Honor Catherine O’Hara During DGA Award Acceptance
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg delivered a heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara at the 2026 Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards. They received the award for outstanding directorial achievement in a comedy series for their work on The Studio.
Catherine O’Hara: A Tribute to an Icon
During their acceptance speech, Rogen expressed deep 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.” His words were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Goldberg added, “We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were children.”
Catherine O’Hara played the role of movie executive Patty Leigh in The Studio, which airs on Apple TV. The beloved actress was featured in all ten episodes of the series and received a 2025 Emmy nomination for best supporting actress in a comedy series. Tragically, O’Hara passed away on January 30, 2026, at her home in Los Angeles after a brief illness. She was 71 years old.
The Impact of O’Hara’s Work
Rogen reflected on the influence O’Hara had on his career, citing her role in the Home Alone films as pivotal. He recalled, “Home Alone honestly is the movie that made me want to make movies in a lot of ways.” He noted how O’Hara’s iconic line “Kevin, Kevin” resonated with him, recalling her playful energy on set when she would call out, “Evan, Evan!”
Goldberg praised O’Hara’s duality, 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.” He emphasized their dedication to making The Studio worthy of her talent and time, concluding their speech with appreciation for O’Hara’s legacy.
Reactions and Celebrations
After her passing, the cast, crew, and producers of The Studio expressed their sorrow over O’Hara’s loss. Apple TV and Lionsgate Television released a joint statement, saying, “We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara.”
A Night of Celebrations
The DGA Awards also featured Paul Thomas Anderson receiving the top honor for outstanding directorial achievement in a theatrical feature film for One Battle After Another. He acknowledged the significance of the award, stating, “This is an incredible, incredible honor.” Anderson also paid tribute to Adam Somner, a first director who passed away from cancer in November 2024.
Christopher Nolan opened the event with his first speech as DGA president. He highlighted the challenges facing guild members, noting a 40 percent decrease in employment in 2024, followed by another decline in 2025. He emphasized the importance of meeting audience expectations and sustaining the entertainment industry.
Conclusion
The 2026 DGA Awards not only celebrated exceptional directorial achievements but also remembered a luminous talent in Catherine O’Hara. Her contributions to film and television will continue to inspire many in the industry.
