Late actress Catherine O’Hara was honoured with a posthumous award at the 2026 Actor Awards, winning Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role in The Studio.
The ceremony, held Sunday night, saw an emotional tribute as co-creator and actor Seth Rogen accepted the award on her behalf.
O’Hara, who portrayed Patty Leigh in the Apple TV+ comedy series, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. According to reports, she passed away from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause.
Taking the stage after her name was announced, Rogen described the moment as bittersweet.
“I was asked to assume the very sad honour of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf,” he said.
“I know she would have been honoured to receive this award from her fellow performers, who I know she respected so much.”
Reflecting on their time working together, he praised her generosity and confidence.
“She had the ability to be generous and kind and gracious, while never minimising her own talents and her own ability to contribute to the work that we were doing,” Rogen added.
O’Hara rose to prominence through Toronto’s Second City improvisational troupe before gaining international recognition in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone, where her portrayal of Kevin McCallister’s frantic mother became iconic.
The ceremony, held Sunday night, saw an emotional tribute as co-creator and actor Seth Rogen accepted the award on her behalf.
O’Hara, who portrayed Patty Leigh in the Apple TV+ comedy series, died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71. According to reports, she passed away from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as the underlying cause.
Taking the stage after her name was announced, Rogen described the moment as bittersweet.
“I was asked to assume the very sad honour of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf,” he said.
“I know she would have been honoured to receive this award from her fellow performers, who I know she respected so much.”
Reflecting on their time working together, he praised her generosity and confidence.
“She had the ability to be generous and kind and gracious, while never minimising her own talents and her own ability to contribute to the work that we were doing,” Rogen added.
O’Hara rose to prominence through Toronto’s Second City improvisational troupe before gaining international recognition in films such as Beetlejuice and Home Alone, where her portrayal of Kevin McCallister’s frantic mother became iconic.
