Seth Rogen opens up about emotional tribute to late Catherine O’Hara at Actor Awards

Seth Rogen opened up about the bittersweet moment of accepting a posthumous award for his late castmate Catherine O’Hara, at the 2026 Actor Awards.

The Studio creator and star took the stage on Sunday, March 1, to accept the Actor Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series on behalf of O’Hara, who passed away in January at age 71. 

In an emotional speech, Rogen admitted he wished he didn’t have to deliver the tribute, but celebrated the recognition of her work.

“Something I wish I didn’t have to do at all, but I’m so happy she won,” Rogen told Extra. “I know she would have been so proud to win, and I know she was very proud of her work on the show. She respected everyone in that room so much.”

Rogen recounted O’Hara’s dedication to her craft, recalling how she would email him before filming with ideas for scenes. 

He described her as generous and kind while never diminishing her own immense talent.

“She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set,” Rogen said. “Her ability to be gracious and generous while owning her own brilliance was something I’ve been marveling at over the last few weeks.”

Kathryn Hahn, O’Hara’s fellow castmate, reflected on the actress’s unique touch on the show, joking, “I don’t think any of our notes would be better than Catherine’s… It’ll just be waste of time.”

Studio also won the award for Best Comedy Series Ensemble, while Rogen earned Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal in the Hollywood-centered Apple TV show, which has already been commissioned for a second season.

Following O’Hara’s death, the cast had canceled a planned press day, and Rogen shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram:

“Really don’t know what to say… I told O’Hara when I first met her I thought she was the funniest person I’d ever had the pleasure of watching on screen. 

"Home Alone was the movie that made me want to make movies. Getting to work with her was a true honor. She was hysterical, kind, intuitive, generous… she made me want to make our show good enough to be worthy of her presence in it. This is just devastating. We’re all lucky we got to live in a world with her in it.”