Kieran Culkin recalls being called 'dummy' by director on first job at 6
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kieran Culkin, known for his award-winning performances, recently opened up about his early acting experiences.
During an interview on the December 23 episode of the 'Smartless' podcast, Culkin opened up on his first professional role and the unexpected challenges he faced on set from his director.
Kieran Culkin shares details about unsettling first acting job at 6
Kieran Culkin recalled his first professional acting role in a commercial when he was just six years old. Speaking to hosts on the podcast, the actor shared that the commercial focused on learning disabilities.
“The concept was I'm standing in front of a chalkboard with chalk in my hand and I don't know how to solve the easy thing in front of me,” Culkin recalled.
He added, the kids in the class were supposed to be "calling me a dummy and stupid, all that.”
However, Culkin said the situation took a surprising turn when the director stepped in to insult him directly.
“I have a distinct memory of being there and the director going, 'Okay, action.' And he starts going, 'Dummy. Idiot. Stupid,'” Culkin recalled.
Kieran Culkin's revelation of insult from director on first job stuns hosts
The hosts of the 'Smartless' podcast were astonished by Kieran Culkin's revelation of an insult from the director during his first job.
They reacted with shock, saying, “Oh my God...Wow!” Culkin admitted that even as a child, he found the approach strange.
“I'm thinking like, 'I get it. I'm 6. Stand here and look sad. I'm not f****** method. I'm 6. What's wrong with you?'” Culkin said as People reported.
Culkin's roles include 1990's 'Home Alone' alongside his older brother Macaulay Culkin. He reprised his role in 1992’s 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'.
He has also appeared with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton in 'Father of the Bride' in 1991 and its sequel in 1995.
Culkin later transitioned out of child stardom with 2002's 'Igby Goes Down', earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
Although he did not win at the time, Culkin took home a Golden Globe in 2024 for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role in 'Succession'.
Kieran Culkin believed he could 'never' host 'SNL'
Reflecting on his success, Kieran Culkin said hosting 'Saturday Night Live' in 2021 was another career highlight.
“It was one of those things I thought would never, ever happen,” Culkin shared. “I'm not very ambitious. I don't have these big aspiring dreams, but hosting SNL was one.”
He also revealed another unfulfilled dream: “The other dream—still unfulfilled—is doing a voice on The Simpsons.”
Culkin, who shares daughter Kinsey, five, and son Wilder, three, with his wife Jazz Charton in an interview with E! News on December 3, said he had not yet shown his children parts of 'Home Alone'.
“For the three-year-old, there’s the tarantula [and] there’s the guy at the end who said, 'I’m gonna bite off all your fingers.' That’s scary for a three-year-old,” Culkin said.
Despite this, the actor said his children may be ready to watch the iconic film soon. “We think they might be ready for Home Alone this year. If not, next year,” he added.
