(1980-)

Who Is Macaulay Culkin?

Although Macaulay Culkin made his feature screen debut in 1988's Rocket Gibraltar, it was his role in 1989's comedic hit Uncle Buck that made him Hollywood's favorite child actor. His stardom hit meteoric proportions the following year when he starred in the wildly successful slapstick comedy Home Alone. After 1991's My Girl, Culkin's star status faded, although he continues to act.

Early Life

Macaulay Carson Culkin was born on August 26, 1980, in New York City. The third of seven children, Culkin was drawn to the limelight from a young age. He performed in his first play Off-Broadway at age four. Culkin studied the performing arts extensively as a child, including training at Balanchine's School of the American Ballet, and appeared in numerous television commercials.

Child Actor, 'Home Alone' Superstardom

Culkin made his feature screen debut in 1988's Rocket Gibraltar, but it was his charming turn as John Candy's precocious nephew in 1989's comedic hit Uncle Buck that made him Hollywood's favorite child actor. His stardom hit meteoric proportions the following year when he starred in the wildly successful holiday comedy Home Alone. The film was the highest-grossing film of the year and spawned a slightly less successful sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992.

In 1991, Macaulay Culkin impressed audiences and critics with his heartfelt and endearing performance as the best friend of a troubled young girl in the tear-jerker My Girl. Subsequent films, including 1993's The Good Son and 1994's Richie Rich were underwhelming and emphasized Culkin's waning popularity.

Throughout his career, Culkin's father, Kit, was his manager. In the early 1990s, rumors began to surface that accused Kit of mismanagement. In 1995, Culkin's parents began a custody battle over their children and Macaulay's fortune. His mother eventually won custody.

Later Films, Friendship With Michael Jackson

In 2003, after a relatively long absence from the public eye, Culkin starred in Party Monster, a true story about the rise and fall of a club promoter. Other films include 2004's Saved! and 2007's Sex and Breakfast.

In September 2004, Culkin was arrested in Oklahoma for possession of 17.3 grams of marijuana and two other controlled substances for which he had no prescription. He was given a one-year deferred sentence on each charge and assessed $540 in court costs.

In 2005, Culkin defended Michael Jackson at the pop star's molestation trial. He called the allegations against Jackson "absolutely ridiculous." Culkin met Jackson in the early 1990s, after he had reached stardom with Home Alone and spent time at the Neverland Ranch. He also starred in Jackson's "Black or White" music video. The stars became such good friends that Culkin is godfather to Jackson's eldest two children Prince Michael Jr. and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson.

The Pizza Underground

In 2013, Culkin debuted his comedy rock band The Pizza Underground, which parodied songs by The Velvet Underground using pizza-themed lyrics and song titles. In 2016, he announced that the band had dissolved.

Personal Life

Culkin married actress Rachel Miner in 1998 when he was 18. The couple separated in 2000.

Culkin began dating actress Mila Kunis in 2002. After quietly dating for more than eight years, Kunis and Culkin announced their split in early 2011. Culkin currently dating former Disney actress Brenda Song, whom he met while filming the 2018 movie Changeland, directed by Seth Green. The pair welcomed son Dakota Song Culkin in April 2021.

While appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast in August 2018, Culkin revealed that he had turned down the opportunity to star in the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory as the show was being created. "I'd have hundreds of millions of dollars right now if I did that gig," said, adding, "At the same time, I'd be bashing my head against the wall."

QUICK FACTS

Name: Macaulay Culkin
Birth Year: 1980
Birth date: August 26, 1980
Birth State: New York
Birth City: New York
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Male
Best Known For: Macaulay Culkin is an actor known mostly for his childhood roles in such films as 'My Girl' and 'Home Alone.'
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