Catherine O’Hara, Dolly Parton and Rob Reiner honoured during 2026 Emmys In Memoriam

Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner and Dolly Parton were honoured during the 78th Emmy Awards as the ceremony remembered notable figures from television and entertainment who died over the past year.

O’Hara was remembered by her Home Alone co-star Macaulay Culkin and her Schitt’s Creek co-stars Annie Murphy and Dan Levy. The actress died in January at the age of 71.

Culkin, who played O’Hara’s on-screen son in the first two Home Alone films, reflected on his relationship with the actress during the tribute.

“There are all kinds of words I could use to describe Catherine,” Culkin said. “She was encouraging, she was warm, she was funny. But the word that I think of is mama.”

He added, “By the way, call your mother tonight. For real.”

Culkin also said, “By extension, she’s all of our moms,” before adding, “She may have forgotten me – twice – but we will always remember her.”

Levy, who worked with O’Hara on Schitt’s Creek, said one of the most important lessons he learned from her was, “Say yes. … It will amaze you on a daily basis and it will change your life.”

Rob Reiner was also remembered during the ceremony, with Jamie Lee Curtis paying tribute to the filmmaker and actor. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, died in December.

“Last year we lost another cherished legend, our beloved ‘Meathead,’ Rob Reiner,” Curtis said. “He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all.”

Curtis also noted that Reiner had recently received a posthumous Emmy for his guest role in The Bear.

“He now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner at 37 years,” she said.

Dolly Parton was honoured separately, with Sally Field remembering her Steel Magnolias co-star before Reba McEntire performed Parton’s 1983 song “Appalachian Memories”.

“If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one, Dolly Parton,” Field said.

Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to representatives.