Kieran Culkin reflects on tragic death of older sister Dakota 15 years later: ‘It doesn’t get easier’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kieran Culkin has opened up about the deep pain of losing his sister Dakota, 15 years after her tragic death.

The 'Succession' actor, 42, reflected on the lasting impact of her death, which occurred in 2008 when Dakota, 29, was struck by a car while crossing a street in California.

According to Ladbible, she suffered severe head trauma and was taken to UCLA Hospital, where she passed away on December 10. The driver of the vehicle was not charged, as the investigation determined there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use.

Kieran Culkin lost a 'big piece' of himself after his sister Dakota's death

Growing up in a large family with five siblings—Macaulay, Shane, Quinn, Christian, and Rory—Kieran has been vocal about the close bond he shared with Dakota.

In a recent interview with CBS, Kieran described how losing her felt like losing a part of himself.

"I only knew who I was because of who my siblings are," he said. "So, to lose one was losing a big piece of myself."

He admitted that while the pain doesn’t get easier over time, it becomes something one learns to live with. “Losing one of my favorite people in the world, it doesn’t get better. It doesn’t get easier, but you get used to it,” Kieran shared.

The pain of Dakota’s death is something Kieran still feels today, but he has found ways to honor her memory. He pointed out how his 'Succession' character, Roman Roy, reminds him of his late sister’s humor.

"After a couple of seasons, I realized there was some stuff that Roman did that I was like, ‘Oh, that’s my sister, that was her sense of humor'," he explained.

Dakota, he recalled, had a sharp wit and an ability to make everyone laugh, often with an incisive joke that got right to the heart of the matter. "She could find exactly what the right thing to make fun of you was that would get to you, but be really funny and make the room laugh. That was her."

Kieran Culkin reflects on his role as protective older sibling

Kieran Culkin also reflected on his role as the older sibling in the family. Growing up, he took on the responsibility of looking out for his younger siblings.

"Whenever the door would open to let the kids in, I used to stand aside and count to make sure all six of them got in before I got in," he recalled. "That’s how I remember growing up, too. I couldn’t fall asleep until they all fell asleep. I only existed because they did around me."

Dakota’s legacy lives on through her family’s memories of her and through the impact she had on the people around her.

Her friend Andrea Poe recalled how Dakota had recently moved to Los Angeles from New York to pursue a career in film production. "She was very low-key [about her name], but at the same time proud of her siblings," Poe told People. "She was very close to Macaulay. They would talk frequently on the phone or go out to eat."

In honor of Dakota, Macaulay and his partner Brenda Song named their son Dakota when they welcomed him in 2021. This gesture ensures that her memory continues to live on through the next generation.