Catherine O’Hara’s Posthumous Victory Brings Tribute and Standing Ovation at the Actor Awards

The 2026 Actor Awards gave a heartfelt tribute to comedy legend Catherine O’Hara on Sunday, March 1. Just a month after her passing at 71 on January 30, O’Hara was posthumously honored with the award for Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role in the Apple TV+ series The Studio.

As her name was announced at the Shrine Auditorium, the audience erupted into a standing ovation, celebrating the fifty-year career she left behind. Seth Rogen, the creator and star of The Studio, accepted the award on her behalf.

I was asked to assume the very sad honor of accepting this award on O’Hara’s behalf, he told the audience. I know she would have been honored to receive this award from her fellow performers, who I know she respected so much.

The standing ovation for Catherine O’Hara at The 2026 Actor Awards.pic.twitter.com/owD1j3xX7g

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 2, 2026

Rogen spoke about O’Hara’s dedication, noting that she stayed engaged with The Studio until her final days. He shared that she often emailed him and co-creator Evan Goldberg with suggestions that made scenes stronger.

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, Rogen said. He also encouraged fans to share O’Hara’s work with younger viewers, highlighting her performances in Beetlejuice and Best in Show.

Tell the people, as they are laughing, that that’s Catherine O’Hara, and we were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us, he added. O’Hara’s career was marked by versatility, from her sketch comedy days on SCTV to the global hit Schitt’s Creek.

In her final role on The Studio, she played Patty Leigh, a former studio head and mentor to Rogen’s character. The series, which has been renewed for a second season, became her last project, and her win marked the first time a woman has received a posthumous Actor Award in this category.

Seth Rogen remains busy this year with multiple projects. He is promoting the comedy remake The Invite, starring Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton, which received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival.

Rogen will also host the “Seth Goes Greek” night for the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in May, a charity event benefiting his Alzheimer’s organization, Hilarity for Charity. He is also preparing the stoner comedy The Wrong Girls with Kristen Stewart.

The Studio itself was a big winner, also taking home Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. While the cast celebrated, O’Hara’s absence was strongly felt, reminding everyone of the vital presence she brought to every project.

Sources say her performance on the show will be remembered as one of her very best, a fitting capstone to a career that inspired generations. Fans remember O’Hara for her sharp comedic timing, unforgettable characters, and dedication to her craft.

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