Catherine O’Hara, who died last month at the age of 71, was posthumously awarded best female actor in a comedy series at the 32nd Actor Awards for her role in “The Studio.” The ceremony, held Sunday at the Shine Auditorium in Los Angeles, drew a standing ovation in her honor. O’Hara passed away on January 30 from a pulmonary blood clot.
Seth Rogen, co-creator of “The Studio,” accepted the award on her behalf. Reflecting on her professionalism and warmth, Rogen recalled O’Hara’s habit of sending thoughtful scene suggestions and described her as a performer who combined “genius” with kindness. He encouraged audiences unfamiliar with her work to watch her performances in films like Beetlejuice and Best in Show to appreciate her range and comedic timing.
The Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, serve as one of the key precursors to the Academy Awards, with actors’ choices often signaling likely Oscar contenders. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Kristen Bell, took place amid global political tensions and major developments in the entertainment industry, including Paramount’s pending $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Ceremony Highlights and Streaming Coverage
The awards were streamed live on Netflix, and the event opened with Bell leading a lighthearted song-and-dance performance. Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” won best stunt ensemble before the show formally began. Television awards recognized Keri Russell for The Diplomat, Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex, and Seth Rogen for The Studio.
On the film side, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another entered the night as the leading contender, having already won at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Producers Guild Awards. The film led with a record seven nominations, including best ensemble, the night’s top prize. Competing films in the category included Sinners, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Frankenstein.
Acting Categories and Unpredictable Outcomes
The actors guild awards often predict Oscar results, though surprises remain possible. Timothée Chalamet, last year’s best male actor winner, was favored for his performance in Marty Supreme, though Robert Aramayo’s recent BAFTA win underscored the uncertainty in the category. Other nominees included Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia). A win for Chalamet would mark a consecutive-year triumph.
In the best female actor category, Jessie Buckley emerged as the frontrunner, alongside Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Emma Stone (Bugonia). Supporting actor categories were seen as particularly competitive. Nominees for best supporting female actor included Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good), Amy Madigan (Weapons), and Odessa A’zion (Marty Supreme). Best supporting male actor nominees included Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Miles Caton (Sinners), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), and Paul Mescal (Hamnet).
Lifetime Achievement and Industry Context
Harrison Ford is set to receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, which Woody Harrelson will present. The ceremony underscored the intersection of Hollywood’s artistic recognition and ongoing industry shifts, including high-profile mergers and the evolving streaming landscape.
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Source: AP News – Catherine O’Hara wins posthumous award for ‘The Studio’ at Actor Awards
