“That sucks for him”: Despite ‘Succession’ Fame, Kieran Culkin is Glad He Didn’t Get Brother Macaulay’s Fate
- Their father pushed each of the seven Culkin siblings to try out acting and make a career in Hollywood, but only three of them went at it with full force.
- Kieran picked up small roles in movies and shows while Macaulay thrived in the public spotlight.
- Kieran saw how much Macaulay had to put up with, which eventually made him feel thankful that he didn’t get as famous as him.
There are some things that money and fame just cannot solve. Ask Kieran Culkin who played Roman on the massively popular show Succession. His on-screen character belonged to the overly wealthy Roy Family but was still prone to foibles like other common folk. In real life, the actor is sort of indifferent to his fame as an actor but tries to configure how he really feels about it.
The show transformed his life completely. From small roles here and there, Succession thrust him into the spotlight with one of the central roles that seems like he was born to play.
Kieran Culkin felt bad for brother Macaulay Culkin
When all siblings in a family are encouraged to go into the same profession, competition, and ego clashes are bound to happen. But not with the Culkin siblings. Their father pushed each of the seven siblings to try out acting and make a career in Hollywood, but only three of them went at it with full force. And today, they are on good terms and supportive of each other.
While Macaulay Culkin got his breakout role in the Home Alone franchise, his siblings Kieran Culkin and Rory Culkin were not that far behind. Kieran picked up small roles in movies and shows while Macaulay thrived in the public spotlight. Though many believed it was a dream come true for the child actor to garner so much love and appreciation, his brother Kieran felt differently. In an interview with Esquire, he said,
Poor f guy. He was little and had to try to accept that level of fame as reality. Even at that time, as a kid, I remember thinking, That sucks for him.
The Succession actor goes on to explain how weird it was having people follow them and the snide remarks in school just because their brother was doing well as an actor. Kieran saw how much Macaulay had to put up with, which eventually made him feel thankful that he didn’t get as famous as him. Nevertheless, the two brothers had a different life story written for them, and presently, both of them are happy and satisfied.
The Aftereffects of Paparazzi Attention
Kieran further talks about the immensely intrusive and mean behavior by the media back when Macaulay and he were kids. Even when their parents got divorced, various media outlets on constantly on the prowl, waiting for the next scoop for their headlines and cover story. This is further why Kieran was happy being unknown and anonymous back when his brother was gaining stardom with every project.
The Culkin family had a tough time dealing with the unnecessary media attention which led to them boycotting a few publications. Kieran, especially, chooses not to speak to certain media because they made life miserable for the family a couple of decades ago. Despite the chaotic experiences, Kieran is glad to have made it in Hollywood and his talent is no secret with fans loving Roman’s eccentricities in every episode.
Succession is streaming on Max.
