The creative duo behind Apple TV+’s breakout hit The Studio, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, used their platform at the 2026 Directors Guild Awards to deliver a moving tribute to their late co-star, Catherine O’Hara. Accepting the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for the episode “The Magic Hour,” Rogen and Goldberg spoke with palpable emotion about O’Hara’s impact on their lives and careers.
“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,” Rogen said, prompting a spontaneous eruption of applause from the audience. Goldberg echoed the sentiment, adding, “We grew up in Canada, and she is and was quite literally our idol since we were children.”
O’Hara, who passed away on January 30th at the age of 71 following a brief illness, portrayed the sharp-tongued and often-firing studio executive Patty Leigh in The Studio. Her performance earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for best supporting actress in a comedy series, solidifying her continued relevance and acclaim even late in her career. The role, loosely based on former Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chairwoman Amy Pascal, allowed O’Hara to showcase her signature blend of comedic timing and dramatic depth.
But the admiration for O’Hara clearly extended far beyond her recent work with Rogen and Goldberg. Rogen revealed a deeply personal connection to O’Hara’s earlier, iconic role in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone. “Home Alone honestly is the movie that made me want to make movies in a lot of ways,” he confessed. He then playfully recounted a recurring on-set experience that mirrored a famous scene from the film. “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.’”
Goldberg further emphasized O’Hara’s rare combination of talent and kindness. “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 said. Rogen concluded their acceptance speech by acknowledging the effort they put into creating a show worthy of her participation. “Every day we worked very hard to make the show good enough to warrant her time and her presence. So, 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.”
The outpouring of grief following O’Hara’s death was widespread throughout the entertainment industry. The Studio’s cast, crew, and producers, along with Apple TV and Lionsgate Television, released a joint statement expressing their heartbreak. The loss is particularly poignant given the show’s success and O’Hara’s integral role in its appeal.
The DGA Awards ceremony also saw Paul Thomas Anderson honored with the top prize for outstanding directorial achievement in theatrical feature film for One Battle After Another. Anderson, in his acceptance speech, acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing many in the industry, and paid tribute to Adam Somner, a director who passed away in November 2024.
The evening began with a somber yet realistic assessment of the current state of the industry from newly elected DGA president Christopher Nolan. Nolan addressed the challenges facing DGA members, noting a significant decline in employment figures. “In 2024, our employment in our guild was down about 40 percent, and that was followed by another decline in ’25,” he stated. He underscored the importance of maintaining audience investment in entertainment, even as economic pressures mount.
The 2026 DGA Awards, while celebrating artistic achievement, served as a reminder of both the triumphs and the anxieties within the entertainment landscape. Rogen and Goldberg’s heartfelt tribute to Catherine O’Hara, however, provided a particularly resonant moment, highlighting the enduring power of mentorship, inspiration, and genuine human connection in a challenging industry.
