Kieran Culkin: He was insulted by the director as a child

Kieran Culkin (42) remembers his beginnings in the acting industry. The actor spoke on December 23rd about his first experiences in the industry: At the age of six, Culkin stood in front of the camera for a commercial. “I don’t remember exactly what it was for, but it was about something to do with learning difficulties. I remember the concept: I’m standing in front of a blackboard with chalk in my hand and I don’t know how to do the simple task “The kids in the class should call me ‘stupid’ and ‘stupid’ and all that.” But after the director shouts “Action!” When he called out, he insulted the then six-year-old Culkin as a “stupid” and an “idiot.”

Culkin was confused by the director’s behavior as a child. “Even back then I thought: ‘You know, I get it. I’m standing here and looking sad. […] I am six years old. What’s wrong with you?” the 42-year-old recalled in an interview with podcast hosts Jason Bateman (55), Sean Hayes (54) and Will Arnett (54). However, Culkin kept the director’s name to himself.

The bad experiences during his first shoot did not harm Culkin’s career. He celebrated his film debut two years after shooting the commercial alongside his older brother Macaulay Culkin (44) in “Home Alone” (1990). However, Culkin recently revealed that he didn’t know what the film was about and that his brother was the main actor. “And then when I saw the movie, it made me laugh, and I thought, ‘Mac was on set the whole time. That makes sense that the movie would be about him,'” Culkin recalled. Since then he has regularly appeared in front of the camera for film and series projects.

Most recently, Culkin starred for five years in the drama series “Succession” (2018-2023, on HBO), for which he received a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy. Next year he has another chance at a Golden Globe: Culkin is nominated in the “Best Supporting Actor” category in the film “A Real Pain” (2024).