Lance Joseph Martinez

Rachel McAdams Pays Tribute to Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara During the 2026 Oscars

Article (news)

<p>The <strong>98th Academy Awards,</strong> or <strong>Oscars</strong>, offered a night full of unforgettable moments, from <strong>Michael B. Jordan</strong> and <strong>Jessie Buckley</strong> taking home the evening’s top acting honors to several historic firsts on stage. Yet, one of the most moving segments of the night was the annual<strong> In Memoriam tribute.</strong></p><p>Honoring the lives and legacies of Hollywood legends who passed in the past year, the Academy paused to celebrate the careers of icons like acclaimed director <strong>Rob Reiner</strong> and actors <strong>Robert Redford</strong> and <strong>Robert Duvall</strong>,<strong> </strong>among many others. But it was the heartfelt tribute to late actresses <strong>Diane Keaton</strong> and <strong>Catherine O’Hara</strong> that truly struck an emotional chord with audiences.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV7ie8yjKLe/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A6189452%2C%22ls%22%3A18897.000000000004%2C%22le%22%3A18969%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The tribute was delivered by the critically acclaimed Canadian actress <strong>Rachel McAdams</strong>, who helped the Academy commemorate the lives of Diane and Catherine, alongside other celebrated stars such as <strong>Claudia Cardinale</strong> and<strong> Diane Ladd.</strong></p><p>In an emotional speech during the ceremony, Rachel described fellow Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara as “a comedic genius and scene stealer, our mighty wind,” before adding, “She made us laugh until we cried.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773636238125Oscars 2026_ Rachel McAdams pays tribute to Diane Keaton, Catherine O&#x27;Hara.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Rachel McAdams tribute to Catherine O&#x27;Hara during the 2026 Oscars | Screenshot from ABC News via YouTube</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>A visibly emotional Rachel then turned her tribute to Diane Keaton, who memorably portrayed her mother in the 2005 holiday film<strong><em> The Family Stone</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> which also starred <strong><em>Sex and the City </em></strong>actress<strong> Sarah Jessica Parker</strong> and <strong><em>Legally Blonde </em></strong>actor <strong>Luke Wilson.</strong></p><p>“For over 50 years, luminous on screen and indelible in life, believe me when I say, there isn’t an actress of my generation who is not inspired by and enthralled with her absolute singularity,” she said.</p><p>She continued, “She wore so many hats, literally and figuratively, actress, artist, author, activist, but no hat more important to her than being a mother to her two children. She meant so much to so many of us.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773636311965Oscars 2026_ Rachel McAdams pays tribute to Diane Keaton, Catherine O&#x27;Hara (1).png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Rachel McAdams tribute to Diane Keaton during the 2026 Oscars | Screenshot from ABC News via YouTube</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The actress grew even more emotional as she recalled how Diane used to sing an old Girl Scout song while they were filming <em>The Family Stone</em>, a moment Rachel said perfectly captured the spirit of the late actress.</p><p>“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other is gold. A circle is round. It has no end. That’s how long I’ll be your friend,” she said, reciting the lyrics.</p><p>She then concluded the heartfelt tribute, saying, “And so to our friend, Diane Keaton, celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773636337984Oscars 2026_ Rachel McAdams pays tribute to Diane Keaton, Catherine O&#x27;Hara (2).png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Screenshot from ABC News via YouTube</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Catherine O’Hara, best remembered for her iconic role as <strong>Kate McCallister </strong>in the <strong><em>Home Alone</em></strong> franchise, passed away on January 30, 2026. Reports confirmed that she had been hospitalized due to breathing difficulties and ultimately succumbed to a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer cited as the underlying cause.</p><p>Meanwhile, Hollywood legend Diane Keaton—celebrated for her unforgettable performances in <strong><em>Annie Hall, The Godfather trilogy, Father of the Bride,</em></strong> and <em><strong>T</strong></em><strong><em>he First Wives Club</em></strong>—passed on October 11, 2025, after a period of undisclosed illness. </p><p>According to <strong></strong><em>People</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong>, Keaton’s health had sharply declined in the months leading up to her death, though she kept details private. She passed away at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 79, and was cremated a few days later.</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>ABC News</strong> via <strong>YouTube</strong></p>

<p>The Oscars isn’t just about honoring the year’s best performances—it’s also a time to celebrate the lives of film legends we’ve lost, including Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton this year.</p>

The Oscars isn’t just about honoring the year’s best performances—it’s also a time to celebrate the lives of film legends we’ve lost, including Catherine O’Hara and Diane Keaton this year.