The 2026 Emmy Awards became a night of shared grief and heartfelt celebration as the entertainment industry came together to honor a roster of legendary figures who passed away over the past year, with moving tributes that left many audience members in tears.
One of the most anticipated moments of the annual in memoriam segment came from three stars who shared some of Catherine O’Hara’s most beloved career moments, as they gathered to pay tribute to the Emmy-winning actress, who died in January 2026 at the age of 71. O’Hara built a decades-long career defined by iconic roles: as Kevin McCallister’s frazzled, well-meaning mother in the 1990s *Home Alone* film franchise, and as the wildly eccentric, quick-witted Moira Rose in the groundbreaking comedy series *Schitt’s Creek*, where she starred alongside Dan Levy and Annie Murphy as members of the Rose family.
Macaulay Culkin, who played O’Hara’s forgotten son Kevin across the *Home Alone* films, opened the tribute with a mix of gentle humor and deep affection. Joking about the core plot point that kicked off the first two *Home Alone* movies, he told the crowd: “She may have forgotten me… twice! But we will always remember her.” Going beyond the on-screen dynamic, Culkin spoke to the maternal warmth O’Hara extended off-camera, saying: “There are all kinds of words I could use to Catherine. She was encouraging. She was warm. She was funny, but the word that I think of is mom… She was, she was my mom. She was our mom. Like a good mom, she always showed up when I asked her to.”
Murphy, who brought O’Hara’s on-screen daughter Alexis Rose to life, reflected on the outpouring of public love that followed O’Hara’s death, with fans repeatedly quoting the star’s most iconic lines from her decades of work. “These are only very few of the interactions I’ve been lucky enough to have that remind me how profoundly Catherine has impacted the world, and it’s because she brought us joy,” she said. Dan Levy, who co-created *Schitt’s Creek* and played O’Hara’s son Johnny Rose, added a simple, lasting takeaway for the audience: “Always say yes to any opportunity to revel in the presence of greatness.”
Against a backdrop of a large portrait of a smiling O’Hara, the tribute moved even seasoned comedy stars Martin Short and Steve Martin, who were seen wiping away tears from their seats in the audience. Following the trio’s remarks, folk singer Noah Kahan took the stage to deliver a haunting, tender performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as the segment continued.
Next, Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis stepped forward to honor celebrated actor-director Rob Reiner, who was killed alongside his wife in December 2025. Reiner, who built a legendary career spanning acting, directing, and writing, leaves behind a catalog of beloved films including *When Harry Met Sally*, *This Is Spinal Tap*, *Stand By Me*, *Misery*, and *A Few Good Men*. Just one week before the Emmy Awards, Reiner was posthumously awarded an Emmy for his guest-starring role on the hit series *The Bear*, a win that set a new record: the 48-year gap between Reiner’s first and most recent Emmy victories surpassed the previous record held by his father, comedy legend Carl Reiner. Calling Reiner a “cherished legend” and “our beloved meathead” — a nod to his breakout role as Michael Stivic on *All in the Family* — Curtis opened her remarks by also acknowledging the recent passing of *Cheers* co-creator James Burrows, a close friend of Reiner’s.
The segment also included remembrances for a number of other stars lost in recent months. *Heroes* and *Nashville* lead actress Hayden Panettiere, who died just one month prior to the ceremony, was honored alongside *Rocky Horror Show* icon Tim Curry and *Dawson’s Creek* actor James Van Der Beek.
Beyond the core in memoriam block, tributes to late icons were woven throughout the night’s broadcast. To mark the 50th anniversary of *Charlie’s Angels*, original co-stars Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jaclyn Smith took the stage together to present the award for Outstanding Drama Series, and paused to pay tribute to their co-star Farrah Fawcett, who died in 2009. Jackson told the audience: “Fawcett ‘was the shiniest angel of all, and she was loved by millions of people all over the world. And she still is today. And they’ll never forget her and neither will we. And I’m sure you won’t either.’”
Buffy the Vampire Slayer alums Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz also took a moment to acknowledge the multiple losses their cast has suffered in recent years, including co-stars Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head, and Michelle Trachtenberg. “David and I would like to acknowledge that it has been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew, and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people,” Gellar said.
In another standout tribute outside the formal in memoriam segment, two-time Oscar-winning actress Sally Field led a remembrance of country music legend and Emmy winner Dolly Parton, who died last month. Field, who starred opposite Parton in the iconic 1989 film *Steel Magnolias*, described Parton as “genuine, humble, supportive and blisteringly funny.” Highlighting Parton’s far-reaching impact beyond entertainment, Field added: “She was a humanitarian whose contribution has made a profound difference across our country. God bless you Dolly Parton my friend, I am not the only one on earth who will love you for ever and ever.” Following Field’s remarks, country superstar Reba McEntire took the stage to perform a special musical tribute in Parton’s honor.