Macaulay Culkin

ABOUT Macaulay Culkin is a name synonymous with childhood stardom. Born August 26, 1980, in New York City, he skyrocketed to fame as a child actor, becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the early 1990s. Culkin gained international fame for his role as Kevin McCallister in the beloved Christmas films, "Home Alone" (1990) and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992). Beyond these iconic roles, his career has been marked by a mix of prominent film appearances, personal struggles, and a resurgence in cult popularity.

BEFORE FAME Culkin began acting at an early age, influenced by his father, Kit Culkin, who was a former stage actor. Macaulay’s first notable role was in the film "Rocket Gibraltar" (1988), followed by a part in the romantic comedy "Uncle Buck" (1989). It was his performance in "Uncle Buck" that caught the eye of the producers who would later cast him in “Home Alone,” setting the stage for his meteoric rise.

TRIVIA

1. Macaulay was the first child actor to be paid a salary of $1 million for a single film, a landmark achieved with "My Girl" (1991).
2. He was a close friend of Michael Jackson and appeared in the singer's music video "Black or White."
3. Culkin took a break from acting in 1994 but returned to the spotlight in the early 2000s with roles in "Party Monster" (2003) and "Saved!" (2004).
4. He has ventured into music, forming a parody rock band named The Pizza Underground, which humorously covers Velvet Underground songs with pizza-themed lyrics.
5. In 2020, he made headlines by changing his middle name officially to 'Macaulay Culkin', responding to a fan poll.

FAMILY LIFE Macaulay Culkin is the third of seven children in his family. His siblings include actors Rory Culkin and Kieran Culkin. Amidst his Hollywood success, Culkin’s family life has often been troubled, particularly with his estranged father. In 1998, Culkin’s parents went through a highly publicized custody dispute, during which Macaulay gained control of his considerable fortune.

In his personal life, Culkin married actress Rachel Miner in 1998, but the two separated and were later divorced in 2002. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Mila Kunis from 2002 to 2010. As of 2017, Culkin has been in a relationship with actress Brenda Song, and the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Dakota, in April 2021.

ASSOCIATED WITH Over the years, Macaulay Culkin has maintained connections with various significant figures in the entertainment industry. Notably, his friendship with Michael Jackson was widely covered in the media. Additionally, his collaborations with directors like Chris Columbus and John Hughes have had a lasting impact on his career. More recently, Culkin has been associated with roles in television projects like FX's "American Horror Story: Double Feature" (2021), proving his versatility and enduring appeal in the industry.

From a child star in beloved family comedies to an eclectic performer in the modern era, Macaulay Culkin’s journey is a fascinating testament to the enduring cultural impact of his early successes and his resilience and reinvention as an artist.