On Sunday, March 1, 2026, the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles was filled with both celebration and somber remembrance as the 32nd annual Actor Awards honored the late Catherine O’Hara with two of the night’s most coveted prizes. O’Hara, who passed away on January 30 at the age of 71 following a brief illness, was posthumously awarded Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role as Patty Leigh in Apple TV’s "The Studio." The series itself also took home the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, marking a poignant moment for the cast and crew—and indeed, for the entire entertainment industry.
As the announcement was made, the audience rose in a standing ovation. Seth Rogen, O’Hara’s co-star and the creator of "The Studio," stepped onto the stage to accept the award on her behalf. His speech, delivered with evident emotion, captured the spirit and legacy of a performer whose impact stretched far beyond the screen. "I was asked to assume the very sad honor of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf," Rogen began, his voice steady but full of feeling. "I know she would have been honored to receive this award from her fellow performers, who I know she respected so much. She was such big fans of all of yours." (Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People)
Rogen’s tribute painted a vivid picture of O’Hara’s generosity, kindness, and relentless pursuit of excellence. "Something that I’ve just been marveling at over the last few weeks was really her ability to be generous and kind and gracious, while never, ever minimizing her own talents and her own ability to contribute to the work that we were doing," he said, reflecting on their time together. "She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set." (People, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter)
He went on to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into O’Hara’s work ethic and creative process. According to Rogen, nearly every evening before she had a shooting day, O’Hara would send him and co-creator Evan Goldberg an email with the subject line, "Hello, I hope you’ll consider the following." Attached would be a completely rewritten version of her scenes. "And literally 100 percent of the time, it made not just her character better, but it made the scene better and the entire show better as a whole," Rogen said, prompting both laughter and tears among the audience. (Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People)
Rogen’s admiration for O’Hara was clear: "She really showed that you can be a genius and be kind, and one of those things does not have to come at the expense of the other in any way, shape or form." (People, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter)
As he concluded his speech, Rogen offered a suggestion for anyone unfamiliar with O’Hara’s work: "If you have people in your lives that don’t know her work—if they’re kids in your lives, or just people who are out of touch or stupid or something—just show them O’Hara dancing to Harry Belafonte in ‘Beetlejuice.’ Show them O’Hara hurting her knee in ‘Best in Show’ and doing that amazing thing where she hobbles around, and tell the people as they are laughing, that that’s Catherine O’Hara. And we were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us." (People, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter)
The emotional resonance of the moment was palpable. Cameras caught fellow nominees Jenna Ortega, who worked with O’Hara on "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," and Kathryn Hahn, visibly moved as Rogen spoke. The entire room seemed to share in the collective sense of loss and gratitude for O’Hara’s contributions to film and television. (Variety, The Hollywood Reporter)
O’Hara’s legacy is a tapestry woven from decades of unforgettable performances. Her career began with Canada’s "SCTV" before she became a household name through roles in films like "Beetlejuice," "Home Alone," and a string of Christopher Guest mockumentaries—"Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," and "For Your Consideration," among them. Her portrayal of Moira Rose in "Schitt’s Creek" brought her a new wave of acclaim, earning her multiple awards and cementing her status as one of comedy’s true greats. (Variety, People)
At the Actor Awards, O’Hara was recognized not only for her recent work but for her enduring influence. She was a five-time nominee at the ceremony, with previous nods for "Temple Grandin" in 2011 and several for "Schitt’s Creek" between 2020 and 2021. In 2021, she and her "Schitt’s Creek" castmates—Eugene Levy, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy—won the award for Best Ensemble. (People, Variety)
Her performance as Patty Leigh in "The Studio" was lauded by critics and peers alike, and the role earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in addition to her Actor Awards wins. Even as season two of "The Studio" entered production, the cast and crew issued a heartfelt statement after her passing: "We are at a loss for words at the passing of our friend Catherine O’Hara. She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio. She was somehow classy, warm and hilarious all at the same time. We’re unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to Bo and all her family." (The Hollywood Reporter)
O’Hara’s death was confirmed as resulting from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause. Her passing sent ripples through Hollywood, prompting tributes from colleagues and fans. Macaulay Culkin, her "Home Alone" co-star, wrote on Instagram, "Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you but I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later." (Variety)
Her life was celebrated at a Catholic Mass on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles, just over two weeks after her death. Friends, family, and admirers gathered to remember a woman who, as actress Kelly Lynch quoted from Raymond Carver, could truly call herself "beloved on the earth." (People)
For those who loved her work, the Actor Awards were a bittersweet confirmation of O’Hara’s enduring genius. For those who never knew her, the evening served as an invitation to discover a remarkable artist whose kindness, wit, and creativity will echo through comedy for generations to come.