The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles served as a stage for a significant reunion on September 14, 2026, as the industry gathered to honor the late Catherine O’Hara. The “In Memoriam” segment was led by the actors who played O’Hara’s children across her most iconic roles: Macaulay Culkin from the Home Alone franchise, alongside Dan Levy and Annie Murphy from Schitt’s Creek.
O’Hara, a comedic powerhouse known for her versatility and singular timing, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71 in her Brentwood home. Medical records later confirmed that her cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer cited as an underlying condition.
During the televised tribute, Culkin leaned into the long-standing affection fans held for their on-screen relationship, which began with the 1990 film Home Alone. He affectionately referred to O’Hara as “mama” and drew laughter from the audience by joking that she might have forgotten him twice—a nod to her character Kate McCallister’s frantic realization that her son was left behind in the first two films of the series.
A Legacy of Connection
The tribute highlighted O’Hara’s enduring influence on her younger co-stars. Dan Levy and Annie Murphy, who starred alongside O’Hara for six seasons of Schitt’s Creek, shared the stage to reflect on her mentorship and warmth. On the red carpet earlier in the evening, Levy wore a black floral pin designed by Michael Rider for Celine, a specific fashion choice intended to honor his Schitt’s Creek family and the matriarch who led them.
The 2026 ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment was framed by a performance from Noah Kahan, who delivered a cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The montage also featured other significant figures lost over the past year, including Hayden Panettiere.
Honoring Dolly Parton and Rob Reiner
The evening was marked by several other high-profile tributes to cultural icons who passed away in 2026 and late 2025. Sally Field and Reba McEntire took the stage to remember Dolly Parton, who died on August 25, 2026, following a battle with cancer. According to the Los Angeles Times, McEntire performed “Appalachian Memories” as part of the segment dedicated to the country music legend.
Additionally, Jamie Lee Curtis delivered a tribute to director and actor Rob Reiner, who passed away in December 2025. The segment balanced the somber nature of the losses with reflections on the creative legacies left behind by these figures, particularly O’Hara, whose career spanned decades of influential sketch comedy and film.
