When it comes to famous Hollywood families, it seems like everyone is a favorite. Today’s most famous families include the six children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, the group of rockers Gavin Rosdale and Gwen Stefani, and the family of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Those who want to go back a little further can see the Barrymore and Fonda families, who once ruled Hollywood. With so many different families to choose from, it’s hard to read one family. Perhaps the best example of a family that grew up in the Hollywood arc is the Culkin family.
Kit Culkin married Patricia Brentrup and had two seven children. Three of them children decided to work actors who put the whole family in the spotlight. Kit dreamed of Hollywood stardom, and even had a few roles in movies and plays. When Macaulay Culkin’s son decided to start acting, Kit finally realized his dreams.
Macaulay had a few roles in films and television shows before reaching stardom. Some of the early parts included “Uncle Buck” and “Jacob James.” In 1990 he starred in the film that would make him a household name: “Home Alone”. Macaulay played Kevin, a young teenager who accidentally finds himself left at home at Christmas time. His younger brother Kieran played the part of the younger brother in the movie, which helped launch Kieran’s career.
Casting siblings in the film has become a staple of the Culkin family. “The Good Son,” which starred Macaulay as a dangerous boy, also starred Quinn as his sister. A few years later, Culkin took on the iconic role of a rich boy in “Richie Rich”, which also starred his brother Rory. Rory played the younger version of Macaulay’s character.
The Culkin family is a good example of how Hollywood can change a person. Quinn retired from acting not long after his role in “The Good Son” as he prioritized his life away from the spotlight. Rory went on to a long career that included roles in “Igby Goes Down,” “Zodiac” and “Scream IV.” Kieran also has a successful career with roles in the films “Paper Man”, “Vs. Pilgrim Scott in World”, and “The Dangerous Life of the Altar” Children.”
Macaulay himself became a poster boy for what Hollywood can do to a young man. Due to his popular roles in children’s movies, he became a young model. After “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and “Richie Rich” he took a break from the limelight. By the time he reached his teens, he no longer had a place in Hollywood. Directors wanted actors to look younger, and roles for teens were few and far between.
The success of Culkin’s children wreaked havoc on the family. Kit and Patricia separated after 20 years together. Although Macaulay rarely talks about his personal life, some reports seem to indicate that his father took control of his career. Kit was the most vocal in the film, so the directors and producers didn’t want him around anymore. All the head on the set of “Nutcracker.” The kit had made more money with frequent requests, and he wanted control over production. “The Nutcracker” was one of Macaulay’s last teenage roles, and reviews of the film were mixed at best.
When their parents separated, the Culkin children found themselves caught between their mother and father, who engaged in a long battle because each wanted control over their children’s careers. Macaulay later went to court because he wanted control of his career. Although he gained control, he quickly left the family with less money. Macaulay gave money to his mother, moved with several of his brothers, and forbade any communication with his father.
Today, the Culkin family is a classic example of the problems that Hollywood can cause. Macaulay retired from Hollywood and later became a DJ. He married and divorced his wife at a young age, and some reports indicate that he used drugs in the past. He later took on roles in several independent movies, but mostly remains out of the limelight. Of the entire Culkin family of actors, only two continue to act today. The children seem to remember the ugly legal battles, and very few of them remain in contact with Kit. The story of the Culkin family shows what fame and money can do to a celebrity family.
