Macaulay Culkin reveals Joe Pesci's prank during 'Home Alone' filming left him with a 'scar'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Over three decades after the holiday classic 'Home Alone' debuted, Macaulay Culkin revealed he still bears a scar from an unexpected on-set injury caused by his co-star Joe Pesci.

Speaking during a Q&A at his event, A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin, the actor shared that Pesci accidentally bit his hand during a rehearsal for one of the film’s most iconic scenes, Yahoo reported.

Joe Pesci's method acting left a lasting mark

“He was trying to scare me,” Macaulay Culkin explained to the audience at the Rosemont Theatre. “He said, ‘I want to be menacing to this kid.’” The mishap occurred while filming a scene where Joe Pesci’s character, Harry, threatens to bite Kevin McCallister’s fingers. Instead of pretending, Pesci accidentally chomped down for real.

Culkin recalled the moment vividly, adding, “I saw his face and I’ve never seen Joe Pesci actually scared before. He was horrified, like, ‘I just bit a kid!’”

Culkin’s event, which includes a screening of 'Home Alone' followed by a fan Q&A, allowed him to reflect on his experiences with the film’s cast. He spoke fondly of his on-screen mother, Catherine O’Hara, whom he still calls “mom”, and reminisced about working with late comedy legend John Candy.

Pesci, known for his commitment to his characters, had previously disclosed suffering burns while filming his stunts for the movie. Both Culkin and Pesci have physical mementos from their time on the set of the unforgettable holiday classic.

Macaulay Culkin's Walk of Fame moment

Macaulay Culkin, who became a household due to his role as Kevin McCallister in 'Home Alone', continues to be celebrated for his enduring impact on the film industry.

In 2023, Culkin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a milestone that marked his remarkable career and cemented his legacy.

Joining the ceremony was Catherine O’Hara, who famously played Kevin’s devoted yet frazzled mother in the beloved holiday classic. O’Hara delivered a heartfelt speech, highlighting Culkin’s natural talent and charm.

“I know you worked really hard. I know you did,” O’Hara shared. “But you made acting look like the most natural thing in the world to do. It really was as if we had ambushed the home of this real little boy named Kevin to make a movie and he just went along with it for the fun of it. It’s the dearest thing.”

Culkin’s portrayal of the mischievous yet resourceful Kevin McCallister remains his most iconic role. Following the 1990 original, he reprised the character in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' in 1992, alongside Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the bumbling Wet Bandits.

While the trio departed after the sequel, the 'Home Alone' franchise continued with four additional films featuring new casts and storylines. Despite the series’ evolution, the original two films are regarded as classics, with Culkin’s performances at their heart.

More than 30 years later, 'Home Alone' remains a holiday staple.