Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg used their moment in the spotlight to honor someone who meant everything to them.
At the 2026 DGA Awards, the directing duo received outstanding directorial achievement for a comedy series for their Apple TV+ hit The Studio.
But their acceptance speech quickly became a heartfelt tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara, who passed away just weeks earlier at age 71.
The emotion in the room was palpable as Rogen and Goldberg shared their deep connection to the beloved actress.
A Canadian Icon Who Shaped Their Dreams
Rogen opened the tribute with words that immediately resonated with the audience.
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 crowd erupted in applause as Goldberg followed up with a deeply personal revelation about their shared history with O’Hara.
We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were children.
For two Canadian kids who would eventually become Hollywood powerhouses, O’Hara represented everything they aspired to be.
Her Final Role in The Studio
O’Hara portrayed movie executive Patty Leigh in The Studio, appearing in all 10 episodes of the show’s hit first season. Her performance was so compelling that it earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for best supporting actress in a comedy series.
The two-time Emmy winner died January 30 at her Los Angeles home after a brief illness.
Working with their childhood hero proved to be everything Rogen and Goldberg had dreamed of—and more.
The Home Alone Connection That Started It All
Rogen revealed that O’Hara’s iconic performance in Home Alone was a pivotal moment in his decision to pursue filmmaking.
Home Alone honestly is the movie that made me want to make movies in a lot of ways.
Then he shared a charming behind-the-scenes detail that brought her legendary character full circle.
And I mean, in that movie she’s always yelling, ‘Kevin, Kevin,’ and on set she would always be yelling, ‘Evan, Evan!’ And every time she did it, we were like, ‘It’s like Home Alone.’
Those moments on set became treasured memories—small instances where childhood dreams collided with adult reality.
Genius Meets Kindness
Goldberg spoke to what made O’Hara truly special beyond her undeniable talent.
The best part of her is she showed that you can be an utter genius and also the nicest person in the entire world.
In an industry often associated with ego and competition, O’Hara stood out as someone who combined extraordinary talent with genuine warmth.
Rogen concluded their tribute by acknowledging how O’Hara’s presence elevated their work.
Every day we worked very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence. So, 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.
Industry-Wide Grief
Following O’Hara’s death, The Studio cast, crew, and producers came together to honor their late star. Apple TV+ and Lionsgate Television issued a joint statement expressing their collective sorrow.
We are all heartbroken by the loss of Catherine O’Hara.
The sentiment echoed throughout Hollywood, where O’Hara had touched countless lives across decades of memorable performances.
A Night of Wins and Remembrance
The 2026 DGA Awards featured other significant moments beyond Rogen and Goldberg’s win. Paul Thomas Anderson took home the top prize for outstanding directorial achievement in theatrical feature film for One Battle After Another.
Anderson also paid tribute during his speech, noting they were “up here minus one” in reference to first assistant director Adam Somner, who died from cancer in November 2024.
Industry Challenges Acknowledged
DGA president Christopher Nolan opened the ceremony by addressing harsh realities facing guild members.
Tonight is a celebration of extraordinary work and it should be a very joyful one, but I do want to start by just acknowledging that our members are having very hard times. In 2024, our employment in our guild was down about 40 percent, and that was followed by another decline in ’25.
Despite employment challenges, Nolan emphasized audience investment remains strong.
The amount of money that people spend on our work, on entertainment, is very, very stable. Audiences are invested in us, we have to be sure that we’re able to repay that investment.
A Legacy That Lives On
For Rogen and Goldberg, their DGA win will forever be intertwined with Catherine O’Hara’s memory. From inspiring them as children watching Home Alone to collaborating with them on what would become her final television role, O’Hara’s impact on their careers—and lives—cannot be overstated.
Her ability to be both brilliantly talented and genuinely kind set a standard that extends far beyond acting technique. She proved that success and decency aren’t mutually exclusive.
As Hollywood continues processing the loss of one of its most beloved figures, Rogen and Goldberg’s tribute serves as a reminder of O’Hara’s profound influence—not just as an entertainer, but as a human being who lifted everyone around her.