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Rachel McAdams stepped onto the Oscars stage Sunday night and captured every heart in the room. At the 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 15, 2026, the 47-year-old actress delivered a tearful In Memoriam tribute to trailblazing women lost over the past year, including her ‘Family Stone’ co-star Diane Keaton and fellow Canadian Catherine O’Hara.
Rachel McAdams kind words for Diane Keaton and Catherine O’hara
The segment always hits hard, but McAdams made it personal. On the stage during the ceremony, she began by acknowledging the void left behind. “This year, we lost so many artists, including actresses whose talent and originality widened the world for all of us,” she said, her voice steady at first but cracking with emotion.
She turned first to Catherine O’Hara, the comedic genius behind Schitt’s Creek and Home Alone. O’Hara passed away in January 2026 from a pulmonary embolism at age 72. McAdams called her “my fellow Canadian,” adding that “she made us laugh until we cried.”Catherine O’Hara was celebrated for her sharp wit that brought joy to millions. The shared heritage added a tender layer, reminding us how these stars connect across borders and generations.Then came Diane Keaton, who died in October 2025 at 79 from pneumonia after a sudden health decline. McAdams, who played Keaton’s daughter in the 2005 holiday dramedy The Family Stone and reunited with her in 2010’s Morning Glory, spoke from deep admiration. “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 shared.McAdams highlighted Keaton’s many roles beyond acting. “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 continued. “She meant so much to so many of us.” Her voice broke here, eyes glistening under the lights, turning the tribute into a raw moment of grief and gratitude. “And so to our friend, Diane Keaton, celebrating a life in silver and gold, a legend with no end,” she said.The crowd felt it too. She also honored Claudia Cardinale and Diane Ladd in the segment, but Keaton and O’Hara stood out for their personal ties to McAdams. It marked her rare Oscars appearance after a decade away from red carpets, stunning fans in her gilded gown.This tribute reminded everyone why we cherish these women. Keaton’s Oscar-winning quirkiness in Annie Hall and O’Hara’s biting humor shaped careers like McAdams’. In a night of glamour, her words cut deepest, proving Hollywood’s heart beats strongest in remembrance.
