Honestly, if you grew up in the nineties, you probably thought there was only one Culkin. He was the kid with the hands on his face, the one who outsmarted the Wet Bandits and became a multi-millionaire before he could drive. Macaulay Culkin was a supernova. He wasn't just a child star; he was a global industry.
But then there was the other one.
The quiet, curly-haired kid in the oversized glasses sitting at the end of the kitchen table in Home Alone. That was Kieran Culkin. For thirty years, he was "the brother." He was the one people vaguely recognized but couldn't quite place. Fast forward to 2026, and the script has flipped in a way nobody—especially not the brothers themselves—really saw coming.
The weird reality of being a Culkin
The family story is kind of a mess. It’s not a secret that their father, Kit Culkin, was a complicated figure who managed his children’s careers with an iron fist and, according to Macaulay, a fair bit of cruelty. They lived in a cramped New York apartment with seven kids and no doors on the bedrooms.
Think about that.
One brother is making $8 million a movie, and they’re still living like they’re one month away from eviction. Macaulay has famously described his father as "jealous" and "abusive." By the time Mack was 15, he took his parents to court to gain control of his $17 million fortune and basically retired.
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Kieran watched it all. He saw the "monstrous" side of fame from the sidelines. He once told Esquire that he felt terrible for his brother, saying, "Poor f***ing guy." Kieran didn't want that life. He actually spent years trying to be an actor without being successful at it. He wanted to do the work, but he didn't want the "thing" that came with it.
Why Kieran Culkin is the actor of the moment
If you’ve seen Succession, you know why Kieran is everywhere now. His portrayal of Roman Roy was lightning in a bottle. It wasn't just about the quips or the weird way he sits in chairs. He brought a specific kind of broken, frantic energy that felt lived-in.
It paid off. Big time.
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In early 2025, Kieran won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. Watching him stand on that stage was a trip. For the first time, he wasn't "Kevin McAllister’s little brother." He was an Oscar winner. He even gave a shout-out to his mom, Patricia Brentrup, thanking her for "trying to raise" him in that tiny apartment.
The Career Shift
- Macaulay's Path: Peak fame at 10, retirement at 15, sporadic indie projects, and a recent "retiree" lifestyle focused on family.
- Kieran's Path: Slow burn. Small roles in Father of the Bride, a breakout in Igby Goes Down, a long theater stint, and then global dominance with HBO.
The 2026 reunion rumor (and the truth)
People are constantly asking if they’ll ever work together again. It’s been since 1992. That’s a long time to go without sharing a frame with your own brother. Just this January, Macaulay finally addressed the rumors. He told Collider he’s not "allergic" to a reunion, but it would have to be "just right."
He’s protective of Kieran’s career.
Macaulay actually admitted to crying when Kieran won his Oscar. He was at the Vanity Fair party with his wife, Brenda Song, and he was just a proud older brother. There’s no rivalry here. If anything, they are the only two people on the planet who understand what the other went through.
What’s next for the brothers?
Kieran is currently the busiest man in Hollywood. He’s starring in a revival of Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway alongside Bob Odenkirk. He’s also signed on for a new Nancy Meyers movie. He’s finally embracing the success he used to be afraid of.
Macaulay is living a much quieter life. He’s got two kids now, and he seems genuinely happy being a dad. He’s rumored to have a role in the second season of Fallout, which would be a huge return to form, but he’s not chasing the spotlight. He doesn't need to.
How to follow their journey
If you want to keep up with what they're doing, don't look for them on TikTok. They’re old school.
- Check the Broadway listings for Kieran's current run.
- Watch A Real Pain to see why the Academy finally gave him the gold.
- Look for Macaulay’s upcoming appearance in the Fallout universe later this year.
The Culkin story isn't a tragedy anymore. It’s a survival story. They came out the other side of a pretty dark childhood with their talent—and their relationship—intact.
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Next Steps for You:
If you’re interested in the technical side of Kieran’s craft, look for his Inside the Actors Studio interview. It’s a masterclass in how he used his chaotic upbringing to fuel his performance as Roman Roy. You can also track Macaulay’s production company, Bunny Ears, for his more eccentric indie interests.