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Macaulay Culkin, born Macaulay Carson Culkin on August 26, 1980, is a versatile American entertainer, excelling as both an actor and musician. His breakout role as Kevin McCallister in the inaugural two installments of the beloved Home Alone franchise (1990 and 1992) catapulted him to fame as a child star. Culkin’s impressive career earned him the distinction of being one of the most accomplished young actors of the 1990s, solidifying his place in the entertainment industry. His numerous accolades include a coveted MTV Movie Award, a Young Artist Award, and a prestigious Golden Globe nomination. In recognition of his enduring impact, Culkin received a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.
Ptofile Summary
| Full Name: | Macaulay Carson Culkin |
| Date Of Birth: | August 26, 1980 |
| Place Of Birth: | New York, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Parents: | Christopher Cornelius Culkin & Patricia Brentrup |
| Children: | Two |
| Occupation: | Actor, Film Maker, Singer |
| Net Worth: | $18 Million |
Early Life And Education
Macaulay Carson Culkin was born on August 26, 1980, in New York City, to a family of performers. His father, Christopher Cornelius “Kit” Culkin, was a stage actor, and his mother, Patricia Brentrup, a native of North Dakota, worked in traffic control.
The couple settled in New York City and had seven children, including Macaulay’s siblings: Shane, Dakota, Kieran, Quinn, Christian, and Rory. He also had a half-sister, Jennifer, who sadly passed away in 2000.
Macaulay’s aunt, Bonnie Bedelia, is a renowned actress, and he has Irish roots. Growing up in a small apartment in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood, the family faced financial challenges.
His mother worked as a telephone operator, while his father served as a sacristan at a local Catholic church. Macaulay was raised in the Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph’s School of Yorkville before transferring to the Professional Children’s School.
Career
Macaulay Culkin began acting at four, starting with stage roles like Bach Babies at the New York Philharmonic.
He continued appearing in TV and film throughout the 1980s, including The Midnight Hour (1985), The Equalizer (1988), and his film debut in Rocket Gibraltar (1988). He also appeared in See You in the Morning (1989) and starred alongside John Candy in Uncle Buck (1989).
Macaulay Culkin’s breakout role as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone (1990) catapulted him to stardom, earning him a Golden Globe nomination and wins at the American Comedy Awards and Young Artist Awards.
Culkin went on to star in Wish Kid (1991), My Girl (1991), and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), for which he received a significant pay increase. He also appeared in The Good Son (1993) and The Nutcracker (1993) before taking a break from acting to attend high school and pursue a “normal life.”
He briefly returned to the spotlight with appearances in Getting Even with Dad (1994), The Pagemaster (1994), and Richie Rich (1994), before stepping back again. In 1998, he made a brief appearance in Sonic Youth’s music video for “Sunday.”
Macaulay Culkin revived his acting career in 2000 with a role in the London play Madame Melville. He then made guest appearances on TV shows like Will & Grace (2003) and Robot Chicken.
Culkin returned to film with Party Monster (2003) and Saved! (2004), receiving praise for his roles. He published a semi-autobiographical novel, Junior (2006), and starred in Sex and Breakfast (2007). Culkin continued with TV roles, including Kings (2009), and made a cameo appearance on WWE Raw (2009).
Macaulay Culkin continued his acting career with various projects, including a tribute to John Hughes at the Oscars (2010), experimental films like The Wrong Ferarri (2011), and music videos.
He also pursued his passion for music with his comedy rock band The Pizza Underground, though they disbanded in 2016.
Culkin has since appeared in TV ads, launched a comedy website and podcast called Bunny Ears (2018), and made guest appearances on web series like Red Letter Media and Angry Video Game Nerd.
In 2018, he reprised his iconic Home Alone role in a Google Assistant ad, and in 2019, he appeared in Seth Green’s film Changeland.
Macaulay Culkin joined the cast of American Horror Story: Double Feature (2021), earning critical acclaim for his performance.
He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 1, 2023, with co-stars Catherine O’Hara and Natasha Lyonne in attendance to celebrate his achievement.
Filmography
Macaulay Culkin’s filmography includes the following:
– Rocket Gibraltar (1988)
– Uncle Buck (1989)
– Home Alone (1990)
– My Girl (1991)
– Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
– The Good Son (1993)
– The Nutcracker (1993)
– Getting Even with Dad (1994)
– The Pagemaster (1994)
– Richie Rich (1994)
– Party Monster (2003)
– Saved! (2004)
– Sex and Breakfast (2007)
– Kings (2009)
– The Wrong Ferarri (2011)
– Changeland (2019)
– American Horror Story: Double Feature (2021)
Personal Life
Macaulay Culkin had a difficult childhood, estranged from his abusive father and battling for control of his trust fund.
He faced tragedy with the loss of his sisters and legal issues in 2004. In 2018, he changed his name and has since maintained a close friendship with actor Seth Green, collaborating on various projects.
Macaulay Culkin has kept his personal life private, but has shared aspects of his childhood and family conflicts.
He married Rachel Miner in 1998, but they divorced in 2002. He then dated Mila Kunis from 2002 to 2011. Since 2013, he has lived in Paris and later started dating Brenda Song, with whom he has two children.
Culkin was a friend of Michael Jackson and testified in his defense during his trial, denying any abuse. He remains a strong supporter of Jackson’s legacy and is the godfather of his children.
Macaulay Culkin Net Worth
Macaulay Culkin’s net worth is approximately $18 million, largely due to his successful acting career as a child.
