Jenna Ortega's Emotional Night at Actor Awards 2026: Fashion and Tribute to Catherine O'Hara
Jenna Ortega made a striking appearance at the 32nd Actor Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. The 23-year-old star, known for her role in Netflix's Wednesday, turned heads in a unique ensemble that blended vintage glamour with modern edge.
Ortega's Vintage-Inspired Red Carpet Look
Ortega wore an ivory Christian Cowan SS/26 tattered silk-and-lace slip dress, paired with grey stockings and towering black peep-toe heels, all curated by stylist Enrique Melendez. Her distressed 1950s boudoir attire was accessorized with long necklaces, while hairstylist César DeLeon Ramirez enhanced her signature raven mane with a top hairpiece. Make-up artist Mélanie Inglessis focused on overlining her pink pout and accentuating her dark doe eyes for the Netflix-streamed ceremony.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Catherine O'Hara
Ortega was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role as Wednesday Addams but lost to the late Catherine O'Hara. O'Hara, who passed away at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism on January 30, posthumously won for her work as former studio head Patty Leigh in Apple TV's The Studio. During the awards, Ortega was seen wiping away tears as The Studio creator-star Seth Rogen praised O'Hara's generosity and talent.
Ortega had previously bonded with O'Hara while portraying her onscreen step-granddaughter Astrid Deetz in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which grossed $452 million at the box office in 2024. On February 1, Ortega shared a heartfelt message on Instagram to her 38.9 million followers, calling O'Hara "one of the most beautiful people" she had ever worked with and an inspiration.
Coincidental Moments and Future Projects
In a coincidental twist, Ortega presented the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series trophy to Seth Rogen, who highlighted O'Hara's creative process, noting she would "completely rewrite" her scenes and always "destroyed" onscreen. Rogen added that O'Hara demonstrated how one can be both a genius and kind without compromise.
Looking ahead, Ortega's career continues to flourish. Netflix renewed Wednesday for a third season, where she will reprise her role as executive producer and star. Audiences can next see her in J. J. Abrams' science fantasy film The Great Beyond, releasing in US and UK theaters on November 13, alongside Glen Powell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sophie Okonedo. Other upcoming roles include Taika Waititi's dystopian sci-fi flick Klara and the Sun and Cathy Yan's Miami Art Basel-inspired comedy thriller The Gallerist.
Actor Awards 2026 Winners Overview
The ceremony celebrated a range of talents across film and television. Key winners included:
- Film: Sinners won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, with Michael B. Jordan taking Male Actor in a Leading Role. Jessie Buckley won Female Actor in a Leading Role for Hamnet, and Sean Penn was honored as Male Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another.
- Television: The Pitt secured Ensemble in a Drama Series, while Noah Wyle and Keri Russell won in their respective drama categories. In comedy, The Studio swept with Ensemble, and Seth Rogen and Catherine O'Hara won for Male and Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
Despite recent box office disappointments with films like Hurry Up Tomorrow and Death of a Unicorn, Ortega remains a prominent figure in entertainment, balancing acting and producing with a growing portfolio of diverse projects.
