Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy and Dan Levy delivered a poignant tribute to their late Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek co-star and on-screen mother, Catherine O’Hara, at the Emmy Awards

Culkin remembered her as “our momma”, and “like a good mom, she always showed up when I asked her to”, he said.

US singer-songwriter Noah Kahan performed Bridge Over Troubled Water during the in memoriam segment on the night, before Jamie Lee Curtis paid another emotional tribute to the late actor and director Rob Reiner.

Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere, who died last month, was also remembered alongside other stars including Rocky Horror Show’s Tim Curry and Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek.

Emmy winner O’Hara, who died in January this year aged 71, was known for playing Culkin’s frantic mother in the 1990s film franchise, as well as the eccentric Moira Rose – mum to Murphy and Levy’s Alexis and David – in Schitt’s Creek.

“You remember her as the forgetful mother, right?” said Culkin.

“There are all kinds of words I could use to describe Catherine. She was encouraging. She was warm. She was funny, but the word that I think of is momma… She was my mom. She was our momma.”

He then reminded the audience at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater to “call your mother tonight” and urged them to “give it up for the moms”, drawing cheers.

Referring to the plot of the Home Alone films, Culkin joked: “She may have forgotten me… twice! But we will always remember her.”

Murphy noted how, since her death, many people had quoted O’Hara’s most memorable lines from their show back at her.

“These are only very few of the interactions I’ve been lucky enough to have that remind me how profoundly Catherine has impacted the world, and it’s because she brought us joy,” Murphy said.

O’Hara’s final acting role, as movie executive Patty Leigh in Seth Rogen’s satire The Studio, earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination.

Levy added: “Always say yes to any opportunity to revel in the presence of greatness.”

The emotional moment, which featured a giant image of a smiling O’Hara as the backdrop, appeared to bring actors Martin Short and Steve Martin, sitting in the audience, to tears.

Rob Reiner, who was killed along with his wife last year, received a posthumous Emmy last week for his guest appearance in The Bear.

A tearful Jamie Lee Curtis paid tribute to the director, writer and performer – who made films such as When Harry Met Sally, This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, Misery and A Few Good Men – on Monday.

She called him a “cherished legend” and “our beloved meathead”, a reference to his character in the 1970s US sitcom All in the Family

The 48-year gap between Reiner’s two most recent Emmy wins set a new record, beating his dad, Carl Reiner.

Curtis began her speech by first acknowledging the passing of Cheers co-creator James Burrows, who was also a good friend of Reiner’s.

There were also warm words for Farrah Fawcett, who died in 2009.

Celebrating 50 years of Charlie’s Angels, original stars Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith handed out the Emmy for best drama and paid homage to their fellow Angel.

Jackson said Fawcett was “the shiniest angel of all, and she was loved by millions of people all over the world. And she still is today. And they’ll never forget her and neither will we. And I’m sure you won’t either.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreana paid tribute to the co-stars they have lost recently, including Nicholas Brendon, Anthony Head and Michelle Trachtenberg.

Geller said: “David and I would like to acknowledge that it has been a tough two years for our beloved cast and crew, and we feel very lucky to have known and worked with such amazing people.”

Elsewhere on the night, Remarkably Bright Creatures actress Sally Field led a tribute to country music star Dolly Parton, who died last month.

Field, who starred opposite Parton in the 1989 comedy drama Steel Magnolias, described her as “genuine, humble, supportive and blisteringly funny”, as she introduced a special performance by country singer Reba McEntire.

“She was a humanitarian whose contribution has made a profound difference across our country,” Field said of Parton, who won an Emmy herself in 2021.

“God bless you Dolly Parton my friend, I am not the only one on earth who will love you for ever and ever.”