Kieran Culkin Reflects on Family Dynamics Amid Award Success

LOS ANGELES, California – Kieran Culkin, who recently won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, took a moment to reflect on his family’s history with dysfunctional narratives in Hollywood. While walking the SAG Awards red carpet on February 23, Culkin humorously recalled his mother Patricia Brentrup’s musings on their family becoming a prime choice for such roles.

“My mom used to say when I was a kid, ‘How come whenever there’s a script about a dysfunctional family they always come to us?”” Culkin said. “But also, what’s a functional family? Aren’t they all [dysfunctional]?” The actor remarked on the prevalence of family dysfunction depicted in various entertainment projects, leveraging his own upbringing as context.

Culkin, the second youngest of seven siblings, has notable family ties within the entertainment industry. His brother Macaulay Culkin famously starred in the 1990 classic ‘Home Alone‘, while Rory Culkin gained recognition in films such as ‘Signs‘ and ‘Lords of Chaos‘. Kieran, who debuted in ‘Home Alone’ as Fuller McCallister, is currently in the spotlight for his role in the HBO series ‘Succession‘ and the film ‘A Real Pain‘.

During the SAG ceremony, he expressed gratitude towards his co-star Jesse Eisenberg, crediting Eisenberg’s sister Hallie for his casting in ‘A Real Pain’. “He puts a lot of faith in her, which is really sweet, but dumb,” Culkin joked. “So yes, thank you Jesse for putting me in this movie, but I want to take a moment to thank Hallie for thinking of me and putting my name in your stupid brother’s ear.”

The Culkin family’s complicated history is marked by a custody battle following his parents’ separation in 1995, as well as allegations of abuse from Kieran’s brother, with Macaulay alleging their father, Kit Culkin, was “physically and mentally” abusive in a 2018 podcast appearance. Kieran has often expressed admiration for his mother, emphasizing her strength in raising their large family in a small apartment and navigating their challenging upbringing.

Reflecting on his childhood during a 2018 interview, Kieran mentioned, “Us siblings, we’re already cooked, we’re baked.” He underscored the unique challenges they faced growing up, sharing anecdotes about their humble home situation, which included adapting meals to suit each child’s taste. “I have no idea how she did it,” he added.

As Culkin continues to attain acclaim in his career, including a nomination for an Academy Award for his role in ‘A Real Pain’, he also navigates his family life with wife Jazz Charton and their two children, Kinsey and Wilder. His comedic and candid remarks about family dynamics have resonated throughout awards season, making Kieran a compelling figure in Hollywood’s narrative landscape.