Macaulay Culkin Says His Difficult Childhood Shaped the Father He Is Today

Macaulay Culkin’s childhood may have been filled with fame and success, but the actor says it lacked something deeply important — emotional reassurance. Now, at 45, the Home Alone star is determined to give his own children what he felt was missing while growing up.

During an appearance on the Mythical Kitchen show on Tuesday, Dec. 16, Culkin opened up about how his turbulent upbringing has influenced his parenting style. Sharing two young sons with longtime partner Brenda Song, Culkin said he makes a conscious effort to express pride in his children.

“There’s a word that I use in my household because it’s something I didn’t really hear enough when I was a kid, and that’s ‘proud,’” Culkin told host Josh Scherer. “Man, I’m proud of my kids.”

Culkin rose to global fame in the early 1990s after starring as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. The first film became a massive hit, earning $290.1 million worldwide and securing the then-11-year-old a Golden Globe nomination. Despite that success, Culkin revealed he rarely heard praise at home, even when he was at the height of his career.

Recalling a recent moment with his son, Culkin shared a story from a school recital where his child froze on stage, cried, and ran off before performing. Instead of disappointment, Culkin responded with reassurance.

“I scooped him up, and the first thing out of my mouth was, ‘Man, I’m so proud of you. You were so brave to go out there like that,’” he said.

Culkin has previously spoken about his strained relationship with his father, Christopher “Kit” Culkin, whom he has accused of physical abuse. His parents separated during his teenage years, and the actor has said he has been estranged from his father for nearly 30 years.

Now, Culkin says he takes pride in breaking the cycle and learning how to show love in healthier ways. He also credits Brenda Song as a major influence on his growth as a parent.

“The way I learned how to be a father was through Brenda,” Culkin said. “She’s such a good mother, and she makes me want to be a better father — a better person.”

The couple welcomed their first son, Dakota, in 2021, followed by a second son in 2022. For Culkin, fatherhood is not about fame or success, but about emotional support — something he’s determined his children will never lack.