The 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, included one of the ceremony’s most poignant moments during the traditional In Memoriam segment, when Rachel McAdams took the stage to deliver a heartfelt, tearful tribute to two beloved actresses: Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara.
McAdams, 47, known for her roles in films like The Notebook, Mean Girls, and her recent Send Help, appeared visibly emotional as she honored the women who had passed away in the preceding year. The segment, part of the broader remembrance of industry figures lost between the previous Oscars and this one, featured archival photos and clips of the honorees, including Keaton from the Ralph Lauren SS23 Runway Show in 2022 and O’Hara at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025.
McAdams opened by reflecting on the year’s profound losses: “This year, we lost so many artists, including actresses whose talent and originality widened the world for all of us.”
She first spoke of her “fellow Canadian,” Catherine O’Hara, who died on January 30, 2026, at age 71 from a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer as the underlying cause. O’Hara’s legacy spanned iconic roles in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, Schitt’s Creek (where she won an Emmy as Moira Rose), and more. McAdams praised her ability to connect deeply with audiences: “She made us laugh until we cried.”
The tribute then turned to Diane Keaton, who passed away on October 11, 2025, at age 79 from pneumonia. Keaton, an Oscar winner for Annie Hall and a star in classics like The Godfather, Father of the Bride, and The First Wives Club, was described by McAdams as an unparalleled inspiration.
“There isn’t an actress of my generation who is not inspired by and enthralled with her absolute singularity,” McAdams said. She highlighted Keaton’s multifaceted life: “She wore so many hats, literally and figuratively: actress, artist, author, activist, but no hat was more important to her than being mother to her two children.”
McAdams grew emotional as she shared a personal memory from working with Keaton (notably in The Family Stone, where Keaton played her on-screen mother): “I remember she used to sing this old Girl Scout song on set, which is just so her. ‘Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold. The circle is round. It has no end. That’s how long I’ll be your friend.'”
She concluded with warmth and finality: “And so to our friend, Diane Keaton, celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end… She meant so much to so many of us.”
The In Memoriam segment also honored other notable figures from the past year, including Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, and Val Kilmer, but McAdams’ personal, anecdote-filled remembrance of Keaton and O’Hara stood out for its intimacy and sincerity. The Dolby Theatre audience sat in hushed respect, with the moment evoking widespread emotion across social media and live coverage.
This tribute served as a touching reminder of the enduring impact these women had on comedy, drama, and the craft of acting. Keaton and O’Hara’s contributions continue to inspire generations, even as Hollywood mourns their absence. A beautiful, bittersweet highlight in an already memorable night.
