Tears flowed at the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as actors Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy delivered an emotional tribute to their beloved screen mother, Catherine O'Hara.
Actors Martin Short and Steve Martin, long-time friends and collaborators with O'Hara, were visibly moved to tears by the heartfelt remembrance. Culkin, who starred with O'Hara in the "Home Alone" films, joined Murphy and Levy, her co-stars from the acclaimed sitcom "Schitt's Creek," to honor her life and legacy.
O'Hara, celebrated for her iconic roles in "Home Alone," "Beetlejuice," and "Schitt's Creek," passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 71 following a private battle with cancer. Culkin, now 46, spoke of his enduring connection with O'Hara, who portrayed his mother, Kate McCallister, in the "Home Alone" franchise during the 1990s.
"Catherine O'Hara. We remember her as a forgetful mother, right? But we will never forget about her," Culkin began, alluding to their shared "Home Alone" past. "There are all kinds of words I could use to describe Catherine. She was encouraging. She was warm. She was funny. But the word that I think of is 'Mama.'"
Visibly emotional, Culkin continued, "You know, she wasn't just a wife and mother to [her husband Bo Welch and their sons] Matthew and Luke. She was my mom. She was our mama. And by extension, she's all of our mama." He encouraged the audience to "call your mother tonight" and to cheer for all the mothers in their lives.
Culkin recounted O'Hara's consistent support: "But like a good mama, she always showed up when I asked her to. Because that was Catherine. That's what she did. She showed up." He concluded his tribute by saying, "And this is the best that we can do for her tonight. We're showing up for her. So, she may have forgotten me twice, but we will always remember her. Thank you."
Viewers on social media platform X expressed their deep emotions, with one user writing, "this tribute to Catherine O'Hara at the Emmys was soooo sweet wow. and the camera cuts to Martin Short and Steve Martin crying...I'm not okay." Others lauded Culkin's heartfelt words, with many finding his use of "mama" particularly touching.
Annie Murphy reflected on O'Hara's infectious laugh, describing it as something that "challenged anyone who heard it to join in and be as delighted as she was. And she spread that delight everywhere." Murphy shared personal anecdotes of fans expressing their grief and admiration for O'Hara after her passing, underscoring her profound impact.
Dan Levy, son of O'Hara's "SCTV" co-star Eugene Levy, shared the "greatest lesson" he learned from her: to "always say yes." He elaborated on this, encouraging embracing O'Hara's instincts, her willingness to portray complex characters like "Moira Rose" from "Schitt's Creek," and her collaborative spirit in rewriting scenes. Levy emphasized the importance of reveling in her presence and wisdom.
Singer Noah Kahan performed an emotional rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" during the In Memoriam segment, which also paid tribute to other notable figures.