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Seth Rogen accepts the posthumous Actor Award for Catherine O’Hara’s role in The Studio on stage at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, March 1, 2026. A large portrait of O’Hara is displayed behind him during the emotional tribute. (Photo credit: AP / Invision) |
LOS ANGELES Catherine O’Hara received a posthumous Actor Award on March 1 for her role in the Apple TV+ comedy series “The Studio.”
Seth Rogen, who created and stars in the show, accepted the honor on her behalf during the 32nd annual Actor Awards at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.
The audience gave O’Hara a standing ovation when her name was announced as the winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series. Rogen’s tribute left many in attendance visibly emotional.
O’Hara, who died on Jan. 30 at age 71, won for her performance as Patty Leigh, a veteran studio executive in the Hollywood satire “The Studio.” The series, which premiered in 2025, also earned awards for best comedy ensemble and best male actor in a comedy series for Rogen.
Catherine O’Hara’s Posthumous Honor at the 2026 Actor Awards
The Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards and presented by SAG-AFTRA, recognize outstanding performances by actors. The March 1 ceremony was streamed live on Netflix.
O’Hara’s win came just over a month after her death from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause, according to her death certificate and public records. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
Rogen stepped to the stage to accept the trophy. He described the moment as a “very sad honor” and noted that O’Hara would have been deeply moved to receive recognition from her fellow performers.
Seth Rogen’s Emotional Tribute to Catherine O’Hara
In his speech, Rogen reflected on working with O’Hara and highlighted her unique combination of talent and kindness.
“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,” he said.
Rogen recalled how O’Hara would email detailed scene rewrites the night before filming. “Pretty much every evening before she had a shooting day on our show, she would email me and Evan [Goldberg] an email that always was pretty similar. It said, ‘Hello, I hope you’ll consider the following.’ And then there would be a completely rewritten version of the scene she was in,” he explained. “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.”
He added that O’Hara approached every day on set ready to excel. “She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set.”
Rogen ended by encouraging viewers to introduce new audiences to O’Hara’s work. “If you have people in your lives that don’t know her work … 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 tells the people, as they are laughing, that that’s Catherine O’Hara,” he said. “We were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us.”
Cameras captured co-stars and attendees, including Lisa Kudrow and others from the cast, fighting back tears during the speech.
O’Hara’s Career and Final Role in ‘The Studio’
O’Hara built a decades-long career as one of comedy’s most versatile performers. She earned two Emmy Awards for her role as Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek,” where she and the ensemble cast won the Actor Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a comedy series in 2021.
Her film credits include iconic turns in “Home Alone” as Kate McCallister, “Beetlejuice,” and Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries such as “Best in Show.” She received five previous Actor Award nominations, including four for “Schitt’s Creek.”
In “The Studio,” O’Hara played Patty Leigh, a no-nonsense producer mentoring Rogen’s character in a fictionalized take on the entertainment industry. The role marked one of her final performances and earned her Emmy and Golden Globe nominations before her death.
The series has been praised for its sharp satire and strong ensemble, which also contributed to its wins on Sunday night.
Why the Posthumous Win Matters
The tribute and standing ovation underscored Hollywood’s tradition of honoring performers whose work leaves a lasting impact. O’Hara’s five-time Actor Awards history and recent resurgence made the moment particularly resonant for peers and fans.
Rogen, who helped bring O’Hara to “The Studio,” has previously spoken about her influence on the production. The win serves as recognition from fellow actors of her contributions to the craft.
Complete List of Notable 2026 Actor Awards Winners
“The Studio” dominated the comedy categories, taking home multiple trophies. Michael B. Jordan was among the evening’s other standout winners, as highlighted in pre-ceremony coverage.
The full list of 2026 Actor Awards winners, including film and television categories, is available through official SAG-AFTRA announcements and major outlets covering the event.
What Happens Next for Catherine O’Hara’s Legacy
O’Hara’s body of work remains widely available through streaming platforms and reruns. “The Studio” continues its run on Apple TV+, with production on future seasons already underway before her passing.
Industry tributes and fan discussions have highlighted her influence on comedy. No immediate plans for additional memorials were announced at the ceremony, but her performances continue to introduce new generations to her talent.
The 2026 Actor Awards marked one of the first major Hollywood events since O’Hara’s death, providing a platform for collective remembrance through her final acclaimed role.
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