Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Pay Heartfelt Tribute to Catherine O'Hara at Directors Guild Awards
Seth Rogen and his collaborator Evan Goldberg delivered an emotional tribute to their late co-star Catherine O'Hara during the 78th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards ceremony. The duo dedicated their award for outstanding directorial achievement in comedy series to O'Hara, whom they described as an "utter genius" and a lifelong idol.
Remembering a Comedy Legend
Catherine O'Hara, the beloved actress renowned for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt's Creek, passed away on 20 January 2026 in Los Angeles at the age of 71. Her manager confirmed to Variety that her death followed a brief illness, though the specific cause has not been publicly disclosed.
One of O'Hara's final television appearances was as Hollywood executive Patty Leigh in Apple TV's series The Studio. Her performance in this role earned her nominations for best supporting actress at both the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globes in the previous year, underscoring her enduring talent and impact on the industry.
A Touching Dedication at the DGA Awards
During the awards ceremony held on 7 February, Rogen and Goldberg accepted the honour for best comedy series and immediately turned their attention to honouring O'Hara. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Rogen expressed profound gratitude and sorrow, 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."
Goldberg echoed these sentiments, highlighting their shared Canadian heritage and deep admiration for O'Hara since childhood. He reminisced about her iconic role as Kate McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, noting how it inspired their own careers in filmmaking. Rogen added a personal anecdote, revealing that on the set of The Studio, they would often mimic her famous "Kevin!" calls from Home Alone, creating a nostalgic and heartfelt connection.
Praise for O'Hara's Character and Legacy
Rogen further elaborated on O'Hara's exceptional qualities, emphasising that "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 acknowledged that working alongside her motivated the team to elevate their show to meet her high standards, making her presence a driving force behind their creative efforts.
The tribute concluded with Rogen and Goldberg expressing their primary gratitude to O'Hara, stating, "So ultimately we would like to thank the DGA for this, but we would mostly like to thank Catherine O'Hara." This heartfelt moment resonated deeply with attendees and fans alike, celebrating O'Hara's lasting influence on comedy and her peers.
Widespread Tributes from the Entertainment Community
Since her passing, numerous figures from the entertainment world have shared their condolences and memories. Macaulay Culkin, who played O'Hara's son in Home Alone, posted a poignant message on Instagram, writing, "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more."
Rogen also reflected on O'Hara's impact in a previous Instagram post, calling her "the funniest person I'd ever had the pleasure of watching on screen." He credited Home Alone with inspiring his own filmmaking aspirations and described working with her as a "true honour." Rogen praised her as "hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous," and expressed devastation at her loss, concluding, "We're all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it."
O'Hara's legacy continues to be celebrated through her memorable performances and the profound respect she garnered from colleagues across the industry. Her contributions to comedy and television remain indelible, inspiring future generations of artists and fans.
