Despite the fact that Macaulay Culkin’s acting career did not pan out as expected, his role in the hit movie «Home Alone» catapulted him to financial success and made him one of the most successful former child stars in Hollywood.
Culkin rose to fame in the early 90s with his iconic portrayal of Kevin McCallister in the beloved holiday classic «Home Alone.» The movie, which was released in 1990, became an instant hit and grossed over $476 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing live-action comedy of all time. Culkin’s performance as the mischievous and resourceful Kevin captured the hearts of audiences and solidified his place in pop culture history.
At the time, Culkin was only 10 years old and had already appeared in several commercials and small roles in movies. However, it was «Home Alone» that launched him into stardom and made him a household name. The success of the movie also led to a sequel, «Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,» which was released in 1992 and grossed over $358 million worldwide.
With the massive success of «Home Alone,» Culkin became one of the highest-paid child actors in Hollywood. He reportedly earned $100,000 for his role in the first movie and a whopping $4.5 million for the sequel. He also appeared in other successful movies such as «My Girl» and «Richie Rich,» further cementing his status as a rising star.
However, as Culkin grew older, his acting career began to slow down. He took a break from acting in the late 90s and early 2000s, only appearing in a few small roles. In 2003, he made a comeback with the movie «Party Monster,» but it failed to make a significant impact at the box office.
Despite his lack of success in the acting world, Culkin’s financial success from «Home Alone» continued to grow. He reportedly received a percentage of the movie’s profits, which earned him millions of dollars over the years. In 2014, he even joked about his financial stability in an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit, saying, «I’m a very rich 34-year-old.»
Culkin’s financial success from «Home Alone» also allowed him to pursue other interests and ventures. In 1998, he formed a comedy rock band called The Pizza Underground, which parodied songs by The Velvet Underground with pizza-themed lyrics. He also appeared in several music videos and made guest appearances on TV shows.
In recent years, Culkin has made a few acting appearances, including a role in the TV series «Dollface» and a cameo in the movie «Zoolander 2.» However, he has mostly stayed out of the spotlight and focused on his personal life. He has been in a long-term relationship with actress Brenda Song and has expressed his desire to start a family.
Despite not achieving the same level of success in his acting career as he did with «Home Alone,» Culkin’s financial stability and ability to pursue other interests make him one of the most successful former child stars in Hollywood. He has also been able to avoid the pitfalls that many child stars face, such as substance abuse and financial struggles.
In conclusion, Macaulay Culkin may not have had the acting career that many expected after his breakout role in «Home Alone,» but his financial success from the movie has made him one of the most successful former child stars in Hollywood. His iconic performance in the beloved holiday classic will always be remembered, and his ability to maintain a positive and stable life after fame is truly admirable.
