Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg Honor Catherine O’Hara in DGA Award Speech
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg honored the late Catherine O’Hara during their acceptance speech at the 2026 Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards. The duo received the award for outstanding directorial achievement in a comedy series, recognizing their work on The Studio.
Remembering Catherine O’Hara
In a heartfelt tribute, Rogen expressed his admiration, stating, “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.” This remark prompted enthusiastic applause from the audience. Goldberg shared that O’Hara had been an idol for them since their childhood in Canada.
Catherine O’Hara played Patty Leigh, a movie executive, in Rogen and Goldberg’s Apple TV comedy. She appeared in all ten episodes of the series and received a 2025 Emmy nomination for best supporting actress in a comedy series.
O’Hara’s Legacy and Influence
O’Hara, who passed away on January 30 at the age of 71, left a significant mark on the industry. Rogen credited her iconic role in Home Alone for inspiring his film career. He reminisced about her famous line, “Kevin, Kevin,” remarking how she would often call out “Evan, Evan” on set, evoking fond memories of the classic film.
Goldberg added, “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 emphasized their commitment to making the show worthy of her involvement, underscoring O’Hara’s impact on the project.
Tributes and Recognition
In the wake of O’Hara’s passing, The Studio’s cast and crew joined in mourning, with a joint statement from Apple TV and Lionsgate Television expressing their heartbreak over her loss. The tribute highlighted her enduring legacy in the entertainment industry.
Highlights from the 2026 DGA Awards
Paul Thomas Anderson received the top prize for outstanding directorial achievement in theatrical feature film for his work on One Battle After Another. During his acceptance speech, he noted the absence of first director Adam Somner, who passed away from cancer in November 2024. Anderson remarked, “This is an incredible, incredible honor,” reflecting on the support from fellow guild members.
Christopher Nolan, in his first presidential speech since being elected DGA president, addressed the challenges facing their members. He pointed out that employment rates in the guild had dropped by around 40 percent in 2024, with another decline in 2025. Nolan acknowledged the importance of maintaining audience investment in their work.
- Catherine O’Hara – Mourned for her role in The Studio and her overall impact on film.
- Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg – Recognized O’Hara during their acceptance speech.
- Paul Thomas Anderson – Won outstanding achievement for One Battle After Another.
- Christopher Nolan – Spoke on industry challenges and employment issues during his speech.
The 2026 DGA Awards reflected both celebration and remembrance, encapsulating the profound losses within the film community while recognizing exceptional achievements in directing.
