She was our mama: Macaulay Culkin remembers Catherine O'Hara at Emmys

Macaulay Culkin paid an emotional tribute to Catherine O'Hara at the 2026 Emmy Awards, remembering her as much more than the actor who played his mother in the Home Alone films. Culkin joined Schitt's Creek stars Annie Murphy and Dan Levy on stage during Monday night's ceremony to honour O'Hara, who died on January 30 aged 71.

“She wasn't just a wife to Bo (Welch) and mother to Matthew and Luke. She was my mom. She was our mama, and by extension, she's all of our mama," Culkin said.

Culkin urged people watching to call their mothers and spoke about the bond he shared with O'Hara long after they worked together. O'Hara played Kate McCallister, the mother of Culkin's character Kevin, in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Macaulay Culkin, from left, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O'Hara during the 78th Emmy Awards. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The two films became major Christmas favourites and remain widely watched on television.

Reflecting on O'Hara's lasting presence in his life, Culkin said, “This is the best that we can do for her tonight. We're showing up for her. She may have forgotten me twice, but we will always remember her.”

O'Hara died following a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as an underlying cause. Her career spanned five decades and included the Canadian sketch comedy series SCTV, the Home Alone films and Christopher Guest's mockumentaries. She also won an Emmy for her performance as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek.Annie Murphy remembers O'Hara's joy

During the In Memoriam segment, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan performed as the ceremony remembered O'Hara and other figures from the television industry who died over the past year.

Among those honoured were entertainment icon Dolly Parton, actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner, actor Isiah Whitlock Jr and costume designer Bob Mackie, who died earlier on the day of the ceremony.

Murphy, who played O'Hara's daughter Alexis Rose in Schitt's Creek, spoke about the actor's distinctive laugh and the happiness she brought to people around her.

“Catherine's laugh was a perpetual yes, and,” Murphy said. “It challenged anyone who heard it to join in and be as delighted as she was, and she spread that delight everywhere.”here's the tribute to our beloved mother, catherine o'hara pic.twitter.com/exZGGVws8N— vro // (@vlovesemma) September 15, 2026

Murphy also recalled meeting people across Canada who shared their memories and grief following O'Hara's death. She spoke of receiving a note from a fellow passenger on an Air Canada flight, getting a hug from a petrol station attendant and meeting a woman who recreated several of O'Hara's characters while Murphy was buying wine.

“These are only a very few of the interactions I've been lucky enough to have that remind me how profoundly Catherine has impacted the world,” Murphy said. “And it's because she brought us joy.”Dan Levy recalls Catherine O'Hara's creative spirit

Levy, who co-created Schitt's Creek and played O'Hara's son David Rose, said one of the biggest lessons he learnt from her was to “always say yes”.

He recalled how O'Hara's creative ideas helped shape Moira Rose, from her unusual accent and bold outfits to her famous collection of wigs.

“Say yes to helping her build a TV character over the age of 60 that wears leather miniskirts and 8-inch heels and speaks in a strange, sometimes unintelligible transatlantic accent,” Levy said.

He also remembered O'Hara's late-night creative sessions and her ideas for Moira's wigs.

“Say yes to the concept of a wig wall. Say yes to her asking to wear a wig as a hat. Say yes to her naming wig,” Levy said. “Say yes to giving her space to experiment and create. It will amaze you on a daily basis, and it will change your life.”

Levy also spoke about O'Hara away from the cameras, remembering her warmth and generosity.

“Say yes to her dinner invites and her stories and her wisdom and her generosity,” he said. “Those are the things you will hold on to the tightest. Always say yes to any opportunity to revel in the presence of greatness.”

Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater on September 14. The ceremony aired on NBC and Peacock from 8 pm ET and was also streamed on JioHotstar.- EndsPublished By: shweta keshriPublished On: Sep 15, 2026 10:48 IST