The late Catherine O’Hara was posthumously honoured on Sunday at SAG-AFTRA’s Actor Awards, receiving a poignant standing ovation from her peers, according to variety.com
O’Hara, who passed away in January aged 71, won the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series for her role in Apple TV’s The Studio. She was also recognised as part of the show’s winning ensemble cast.
Co-star Seth Rogen accepted the accolade on her behalf, delivering an emotional tribute to the veteran actress. “I know she would have been honoured to receive this award from her fellow performers, whom she respected so much,” Rogen told the audience. He marvelled at her unique ability to be “generous and kind” while remaining fiercely dedicated to her craft, noting that she would often email rewritten versions of her scenes to ensure every moment was as sharp as possible.
“She really showed that you can be a genius and be kind,” Rogen added. “One of those things does not have to come at the expense of the other.”
The ceremony saw visible displays of grief and admiration from the industry. The camera captured a teary-eyed Jenna Ortega, who starred alongside O’Hara in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, while fellow nominee Kathryn Hahn was also moved to tears during the tribute.
O’Hara’s illustrious career spanned five decades, from her early days on SCTV to iconic roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and her award-winning turn as Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek. Rogen concluded his speech by urging the audience to share her legendary work – such as her comedic physical brilliance in Best in Show – with younger generations. “We were lucky that we got to live in a world where she so generously shared her talents with us,” he said.
Along with her Actor Award wins, O’Hara recently received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for The Studio, cementing her status as one of the most beloved figures in television history.
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