Breaking out from the shadow of his brother’s career as the ‘90s child star du jour, Kieran Kyle Culkin went on to establish himself as a major talent on film and stage in his own right. Following in the footsteps of his older brother Macaulay, Culkin started his acting career as a child in films such as “Home Alone” (1990) and “Father of the Bride” (1991), before going on to receive critical acclaim as a young actor for his sardonic, Caulfield-esqe role in “Igby Goes Down” (2002), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Born Sept. 30, 1982 in New York City, NY to former stage actor Christopher Culkin and Patricia Brentrup, Culkin was the fourth child of seven, reared in a small NYC apartment. Growing up, Culkin attended the Professional Children’s School, but received his most important training on-set. Exposed to ballet and theater from a very young age by his father, Culkin’s first acting gig came at the tender age of two when he appeared in a production at the Symphony Space Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Culkin also got his first taste of filmmaking when the child actor visited the set of older brother Macaulay’s first film, “Rocket Gibraltar” (1988). As his brother’s acting career began to take off, Culkin won a number of small roles in his brother’s films. Not only did he look like Macaulay – he was good as well. He made his feature film debut at age seven in the John Hughes-penned/directed sleeper hit, “Home Alone” (1990), portraying one of Macaulay’s cousins, Fuller. Culkin also appeared alongside his brother in “Only the Lonely” (1991) and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992).
Soon, Culkin was cast rightfully in his own films. He won a memorable supporting role in the romantic comedy “Father of the Bride” (1991), portraying Steve Martin’s son, Matty. He also landed parts in the films “Nowhere to Run” (1993) and “It Runs in the Family” (1994). Culkin later reprised his “Bride” role in its sequel, “Father of the Bride Part II” (1995).
By the mid to late 1990s, Macaulay Culkin’s reign as the biggest child star since Shirley Temple had petered out, leaving the door open for the younger Culkin to make his mark. The fact that he did not have the baggage of Macaulay’s fame could not have been lost on the relatively unscathed younger brother. He moved quietly onward and upward with his career. However, the first order of business to get past was the ugly, public custody dispute and fight over Macaulay’s millions that was waged between the kids’ parents, Chris and Patricia in 1995. Though the latter eventually received legal custody of her children in 1997, the battles drove a wedge between the children and their father that still lingered even a decade later.
Though having acted roughly since birth, it was not until Culkin reached his teens that he realized his true passion for the craft. Working with director Peter Chelsom on the film “The Mighty” (1998), the young actor portrayed a boy with a crippling birth defect and received excellent notices even if the film did not. After another younger-brother stint in the teen comedy “She’s All That” (1999) and a turn portraying a teen musician in Wes Craven’s departure from horror, “Music of the Heart” (1999), Culkin began to build an impressive resume. He appeared in the Academy Award-winning Lasse Hallstrom film, “The Cider House Rules” (1999) opposite Tobey Maguire and Charlize Theron. Next, Culkin captured audiences with his portrayal of Catholic school-boy Tim Sullivan in “The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys” (2002).
But it was portraying angst-ridden teen Jason “Igby” Slocumb in the Burr Steers-directed “Igby Goes Down” (2002) that Culkin established himself as young leading man of impeccable skill and taste. His deadpan portrayal of the rebellious teen earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film gained an instant cult following among college students for its offbeat message and delivery. Culkin had finally made a place for himself outside of his older brother’s long shadow.
With the critical success of “Igby,” Culkin was allowed the opportunity to pick and choose his roles. After taking more than a year off, he returned to theater in late 2002 appearing in London’s West End production of “This is Our Youth” opposite Colin Hanks. Culkin next took a role in the off-Broadway production of “After Ashley” with Anna Paquin in 2005. A year later, Culkin appeared in the Kenneth Lonergan film, “Margaret” alongside former stage co-star Anna Paquin and Matt Damon.