Kieran Culkin (born September 30, 1982) is an American actor. He portrayed Roman Roy on the HBO series Succession.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Kieran Kyle Culkin was born on September 30, 1982, in New York City, New York, as the fourth child of Christopher "Kit" Culkin, a former stage actor,[n 1] and Patricia Brentrup.[1] He has two older (Shane, born 1976; Macaulay, b. 1980) and three younger siblings (Quinn, b. 1984; Christian, b. 1987; Rory, b. 1989). His older sister, Dakota (b. 1978), died suddenly in 2008, an incident that Culkin refers to as "the worst thing that has happened to [his] family."[2] He also had a paternal half-sister, Jennifer (b. 1970), who passed away in 2000.[3]
Culkin and his brother, Macaulay, aged 9 and 11
Culkin spent his early years in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan with his family. They initially struggled financially, his father working as a sacristan at a local Catholic church and his mother as a telephone operator. Each of the Culkin siblings were "encouraged"[n 2] by their father to pursue acting to further support the family financially; however, only Macaulay, Kieran, and Rory chose to do so professionally.[n 3][4] Culkin and his brothers were then transferred from Catholic school[n 4] to the Professional Children's School, where they studied theatre, film, and television.[5][6]
Career[]
Culkin and Claire Danes in Igby Goes Down
Culkin made his on-screen debut at the age of 8 in the "cult classic" film Home Alone, in which his brother Macaulay starred. He continued acting throughout his childhood and teen years, alternating between lead roles in independent films and small parts in mainstream comedies. His breakthrough came with the film Igby Goes Down (2002), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.[7] He has since appeared in films such as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) and Margaret (2011).
| â | I heard [the word "career"] and flipped out, I had this unhealthy relationship with what I did for a living. I really wanted to do it, but I didnât want to be successful at it. | â |
â Culkin on life after his breakout role[src]
| ||
In 2014, Culkin made his Broadway debut alongside Michael Cera in a production of This is Our Youth, after having preformed in several off-Broadway plays years prior.[8]
In 2016, he was cast as the snarky and boyish Roman Roy in the HBO series Succession, further launching him into fame.[9] For this performance, Culkin has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, winning once as a lead actor,[10] and three Golden Globe Awards, again winning once as a lead actor.[11][12]
Culkin is set to star alongside Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross in 2025.[13]
Personal life[]
Family[]
Clockwise from the top left: Patricia Brentrup, Kit Culkin, Macaulay, and Kieran
Culkin and many of his siblings have been estranged from their father since their parents' separation and infamous custody battle in 1995.[14][15] Macaulay alleged that their father had been envious of the magnitude of his career, and, as such, was "physically and mentally abusive" towards him.[16] Cuklin has stated that, while he wasn't subject to the same abuse, their father was neither a good person nor a good father. He recalled there being a more peaceful atmosphere in their home when their father was absent, especially because of their mother, whom he refers to as a "wonderful woman" and "great mother."[4] Culkin remains close with his mother and has a positive relationship with his step-father, her current husband.[1]
Culkin remembers feeling empathetic for his brother Macaulay growing up, seeing that he'd been thrust into stardom so young.[17]
Marriage[]
Culkin with wife Jazz Charton
In 2013, Culkin and Jazz Charton, whom he'd met 7 years prior in a bar, eloped in Iowa while road-tripping across the country.[18] They have two children together, a daughter born in September 2019 and a son born in August 2021.[19][20]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Home Alone | Fuller McCallister | His brother, Macaulay, stars in the film as Kevin McCallister, Fuller's cousin |
| 1991 | Only the Lonely | Patrick Muldoon Jr. | |
| Father of the Bride | Matty Banks | ||
| 1992 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | Fuller McCallister | |
| 1993 | Nowhere to Run | Mike "Mookie" Anderson | |
| 1994 | My Summer Story | Ralph "Ralphie" Parker | |
| 1995 | Father of the Bride Part II | Matty Banks | |
| 1996 | Amanda | Biddle Farnsworth | |
| 1998 | The Mighty | Kevin Dillon | |
| 1999 | She's All That | Simon Boggs | |
| Music of the Heart | Alexi Tzavaras | ||
| The Cider House Rules | Buster | ||
| 2002 | The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys | Tim Sullivan | |
| Igby Goes Down | Jason "Igby" Slocumb, Jr. | ||
| 2008 | Lymelife | Jimmy Bartlett | |
| 2009 | Paper Man | Christopher | |
| 2010 | Scott Pilgrim vs. the World | Wallace Wells | |
| 2011 | Margaret | Paul Hirsch | |
| 2013 | Movie 43 | Neil | Segment: "Veronica" |
| 2015 | Quitters | Mr. Becker | |
| 2016 | Wiener-Dog | Brandon McCarthy | |
| 2017 | Infinity Baby | Ben | |
| 2020 | Father of the Bride, Part 3(ish) | Matty Banks | Short film |
| 2021 | No Sudden Move | Charley |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Saturday Night Live | Froggy | 1 episode |
| 1996 | Frasier | Jimmy (voice) | 1 episode |
| 1999 | The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns | Barney O'Grady | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Go Fish | Andy "Fish" Troutner | Main role |
| 2015 | Fargo | Rye Gerhardt | 2 episodes |
| Long Live the Royals | Peter (voice) | 4 episodes | |
| 2018â2023 | Succession | Roman Roy | Main role; 39 episodes |
| 2020 | Robot Chicken | Joe Jonas/Nostradamus's Intern (voice) | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (host) | 1 episode |
| 2022 | Gaming Wall Street | Himself (narrator) | Documentary miniseries |
| The Boys Presents: Diabolical | O.D. (voice) | 1 epsiode | |
| Solar Opposites | Glen (voice) | 2 episodes (season 3) | |
| 2023 | Agent Elvis | Gabriel Wolf (voice) | 1 episode |
| TBA | Scott Pilgrim The Anime | Wallace Wells (voice) |
Theatre[]
| Year | Production | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Moment When | Wilson | Playwrights Horizon | |
| 2003 | This Is Our Youth | Warren Straub | Garrick Theatre | |
| 2004 | After Ashley | Justin Hammond | Vineyard Theatre | |
| 2007 | Suburbia | Buff | Second State Theatre | Stylized as "subUrbia" |
| 2009 | The Starry Messenger | Student | Acorn Theatre | |
| 2012-2014 | This Is Our Youth | Dennis Ziegler | Sydney Opera House
Steppenwolf Theatre Cort Theatre |
Notes[]
- â Culkin is also the older brother of actress Bonnie Bedelia.
- â Many of the Culkin siblings have argued that they were "pressured" to pursue acting or were "forced" into the industry by their father.
- â Macaulay made his on-screen debut in 1985 with the television film The Midnight Hour, and Rory in 1993 with the film The Good Son. Both have since appeared in major roles, with Macaulay being regarded as "one of the greatest child stars of all time." The three brothers were often cast as relatives (e.g. Macaulay and Kieran were cast as cousins in Home Alone) or younger/older counterparts to each other's characters.
- â The children were allowed to attend this school free of charge due to their father's job, which is precisely why he decided to take the job.
References[]
- â 1.0 1.1 Abramovitch, Sethâ (October 6, 2021). "âSuccessionâ Star Kieran Culkin on Childhood, Co-Stars and Fame". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.
- â Adams, Abigailâ (October 6, 2021). "Kieran Culkin Calls Sister's Sudden Death 'Worst Thing That's Ever Happened' to His Family". People. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.
- â (May 25, 2000). "Thursday, May 25, 2000". Missoulian. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.
- â 4.0 4.1 Kashner, Samâ (November 6, 2018). "How Kieran Culkin Survived Childhood and Made Peace with the Family Profession". Vanity Fair. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.
- â Sullivan, Ericâ (March 27, 2023). "Kieran Culkin on 'Succession,' His Siblings, Early Acting in 'Home Alone,' Fame, and the Roy Family". Esquire. Retrieved on October 23, 2023.
- â https://pcs-nyc.org/distinguished-alumni/
- â "Kieran Culkin". Golden Globes. Retrieved on October 23, 2023.
- â Brantley, Benâ (September 11, 2014). "Desperate Fledglings, Flung From the Nest". New York Times. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- â Andreeva, Nellieâ (October 6, 2016). "âSuccessionâ Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin Cast In HBO Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved on October 3, 2023.
- â Kieran Culkin - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins | Television Academy (emmys.com)
- â Kieran Culkin - Golden Globes
- â Bella, BreAnnaâ (January 7, 2024). "Kieran Culkin Wins First Golden Globe for Best Actor in TV Drama and Jokes: âSuck It, Pedroâ Pascal". Variety. Retrieved on January 8, 2024.
- â Huston, Caitlinâ (August 8, 2024). "Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk and Bill Burr to Star in Broadway Revival of âGlengarry Glen Rossâ". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- â Purgavie, Dermotâ (November 9, 1996). "The Father from Hell?". The Daily Telegraph, pp. 23-24, 26. Retrieved on October 2, 2023. (via newspapers.com)
- â Linfield, Susieâ (November 5, 1995). "Trouble in the House THAT Mac Built : A Custody Battle for Macaulay Culkin by His Parent-Managers Offers a Glimpse Into What Can Happen in Hollywood When a Son Is Also a Star". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- â D'Agostino, Ryanâ (February 12, 2020). "'Home Alone' Star Macaulay Culkin on Life Now, Dating Brenda Song & His Sister's Death". Esquire. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved on October 23, 2023.
- â Juneau, Jenâ (March 29, 2023). "Kieran Culkin Says He Felt Bad About Brother Macaulay Culkin's 'Home Alone' Fame: 'Poor F**king Guy'". People. Retrieved on August 25, 2024.
- â Sullivan, Ericâ (March 27, 2023). "Kieran Culkin on 'Succession,' His Siblings, Early Acting in 'Home Alone,' Fame, and the Roy Family". Esquire. Retrieved on October 23, 2023.
- â Curto, et al., Justinâ (September 18, 2019). "Kieran Culkin and Wife Jazz Charton Welcome First Child". People. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.
- â VanHoose, Benjaminâ (September 17, 2021). "Kieran Culkin, Wife Jazz Charton Welcome Second Baby". People. Retrieved on October 2, 2023.