This Clumsy Boy Grew up in the Shadow of His Super Famous Brother — He Turned into a Handsome ‘Best Actor’

Kieran Culkin stepped into Hollywood at eight with a small yet standout role in the “Home Alone” franchise. As the clumsy Fuller McCallister, the mischievous cousin to protagonist Kevin McCallister, Kieran infused the film with his own brand of playful charm.

His portrayal, complete with a cheeky grin and a penchant for Pepsi, added humor and relatability to the family’s holiday mishaps. In the series debut, Fuller’s antics, notably his notorious bed-wetting, were a comedic highlight, showcasing Kieran’s early knack for timing and expression.

While he shared the screen with his older brother, Kieran’s performance was distinct, hinting at the promising career ahead of him. His portrayal of Fuller left a lasting impression on “Home Alone” fans, laying the groundwork for his future achievements in acting, independent of his brother’s shadow.

Kieran Culkin in the 1990s

Before their rise to Hollywood fame, the Culkins were just another family in Yorkville, living in a modest railroad apartment. The fourth of seven siblings, Kieran, grew up in a tight-knit unit. The seven siblings shared two bunk beds and a crib in one cramped room.

Encouraged by their father, all the Culkin children dabbled in acting. However, it was Macaulay Culkin, the third child, who shot to fame first with his unforgettable role in “Home Alone” in 1990.

His younger siblings, Kieran and Rory, also pursued acting with dedication. Macaulay’s portrayal of Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone” and its sequel in 1992 propelled him to a level of stardom not seen since the days of Shirley Temple.

Kieran, though an actor in his own right and even playing Kevin McCallister’s cousin, found fame to be a different experience. He was close enough to witness the impact of fame on his brother yet far enough not to be in its direct glare. The reminders of Macaulay’s stardom were inescapable, from the prying eyes of onlookers to his visits to the famed Neverland Ranch.

He reminisced, “For me, I got to sort of experience it secondhand as a child.” The fame took a toll on the entire family. The paparazzi became a constant presence, and the media eagerly reported any signs of family discord, especially during their parents’ bitter split.

At the age of thirteen, Kieran even penned a heartfelt plea to the court, asking to spare his family further embarrassment by barring the press from their custody battle. He penned, “It has already been hard on us, and I see no point to it.” Unfortunately, his plea was denied.

Despite the upheaval in his life, Kieran never thought about abandoning acting. His early education was at a Catholic school until third grade. He then moved to the aptly named Professional Children’s School, designed to accommodate the hectic schedules of children in the performing arts.

Kieran’s childhood acting career was marked by diverse roles. His filmography included notable films such as the Freddie Prinze Jr. film “She’s All That,” “The Cider House Rules,” and “Father of the Bride.” Despite his success, Kieran confesses to having mixed feelings about his career. He began acting as a child without fully grasping the long-term consequences.

Kieran in the 2000s

As he transitioned into adulthood, around the ages of 18 to 20, he came to a realization. He had an acting career that he never deliberately chose. This epiphany was somewhat disconcerting for him, and he decided to retreat from the spotlight for a while, using this time to introspect and figure out his life.

He decided only to continue acting if he found joy in it, and the projects appealed to him. He remarked during an interview, “I didn’t necessarily pursue the acting career or success or anything like that. I just enjoy doing work from time to time.”

Kieran also shared his insights on the challenges of child stardom, having witnessed it through his brother Macaulay Culkin. He points out that people often overlook the fact that child stars are just kids who are suddenly thrust into the spotlight without the necessary tools to handle it. He recalled feeling bad for his brother when they were young and thinking, “That sucks for him.”

Kieran’s Awards and Achievements

While Kieran may have a different level of recognition than his older brother Macaulay, he has carved out a successful acting career. Macaulay has five awards and eight nominations, while Kieran has amassed 12 awards and 35 nominations.

In March 2023, Kieran wrapped up filming the last season of “Succession,” a show that ran from 2018 to 2023. During his six-year stint on the show, he experienced significant personal changes. He married, became a father, purchased his first home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and relocated from the island where he had spent his entire life.

As a teenager, he moved to the East Village, where Macaulay lived, not to be closer to him but because he found an affordable place that fulfilled his dream of having a sunken living room. Kieran spent nearly two decades in that apartment, transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

There, he learned to care for others and be cared for, especially after getting married and having children. However, as his family grew, he felt the apartment wasn’t well-suited for them, so they moved out. Kieran and his London-born wife, Jazz Charton, met in 2012 at a New York bar when Charton was working in the music department of an ad agency.

Kieran humorously recalled their first interaction, where he teased her about her name, Jazz, likening it to the music genre. This sparked laughter and marked the beginning of their love story. They tied the knot in 2013.

“Succession” elevated Kieran’s profile and reputation in the industry. He received two Emmy and three Golden Globe nominations, and in 2022, he won a Critics Choice Award.

Despite the opportunities that the show has opened up for him, he finds the most joy in spending time at home with his wife and children.

In an interview, Kieran candidly shared his struggle with being away from his family, particularly his young children – his elder child, a daughter, and his younger one, a son.

He opened up about the difficulties of juggling his professional commitments with his family life and the additional stress it places on his wife.

He revealed, “I’ve started to second-guess what it is I do for a living. It’s the first time I’ve started to go, ‘Maybe I’ve chosen the wrong thing.'” Kieran acknowledges the sacrifices she makes and appreciates her efforts.

In January 2024, Kieran and his wife attended the 75th Emmy Awards, where he won the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “Succession.”

The couple shared a heartfelt kiss before he went on stage to accept his award. In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to his wife and their two amazing kids.

He playfully mentioned wanting more kids, adding that he had asked her before, and she had responded with a “maybe” if he won the award.

Navigating the complexities of Hollywood and growing up in a high-profile showbiz family, including his brother Macaulay, whom he affectionately calls Mack, has been challenging. That may be why Kieran has chosen to keep a low profile for nearly three decades despite being recognized by his peers as an extraordinarily talented actor.

J. Smith-Cameron, Kieran’s co-star on “Succession,” believes Kieran has a “healthy suspicion for the seedy sides of show business.” This perspective has helped him navigate his career while maintaining his unique identity in the shadow of his famous family.

Interestingly, despite their close bond growing up, Kieran and his brother Macaulay haven’t yet introduced their youngest children to each other. Claire Danes, Kieran’s co-star in “Igby Goes Down,” once shared fond memories of their time together. She spoke highly of Kieran and his brother Macaulay, describing them as genuinely good-hearted individuals who looked out for each other.

The siblings, who share a striking resemblance, are often mistaken for each other. Kieran even recounts a few incidents where people confused him for his younger brother, Rory. As the years passed, the once close-knit Culkin family drifted apart. This wasn’t intentional but seemed to be an inevitable part of growing up.

In 2008, they faced a devastating loss when their older sister, Cody, was tragically killed in a car accident. Kieran makes it a point to visit her grave every year on her birthday. Last year, he brought his daughter along for the first time, creating a beautiful memory with Aunt Cody.

Kieran Culkin, once the clumsy boy in “Home Alone,” has carved out his successful acting career. Despite the early days in his brother’s shadow, he worked hard and developed a distinct presence on screen. Today, he’s recognized for his talent and has earned accolades that speak to his achievements.