Macaulay Culkin: A Closer Look At His Life, Career, And Legacy

How Much Is Macaulay Culkin Worth Today?

Let’s talk about Macaulay Culkin, the kid who became a global sensation with "Home Alone." Now, as an adult, Macaulay has a net worth of $18 million. This number reflects the incredible success he experienced during his early years in Hollywood, starring in some of the most iconic films of the '90s. Movies like "Home Alone," "Richie Rich," and "My Girl" made him a household name. But here's the thing—Macaulay wasn’t just another child star. He was one of the highest-paid actors, period, during his heyday. We’ll dive deeper into his earnings in a bit, but first, let's set the stage. Macaulay stepped away from the spotlight for a while in the late '90s and early 2000s, but he’s made a quiet comeback, appearing in TV shows, movies, and even forming his own comedy rock band. Despite all the tabloids trying to dig up dirt, Macaulay prefers to live a normal life away from the Hollywood chaos. His friend Seth Green has been a vocal supporter, reminding everyone that Macaulay is just a regular guy who doesn’t care much about what the media says.

Macaulay Culkin's Movie Paychecks

Now, let’s break down how much Macaulay earned during his peak years. His journey began with the 1989 film "Uncle Buck," where he made a modest $40,000. But that was just the start. The following year, he hit it big with "Home Alone," earning $100,000 for his role as Kevin McCallister. That movie turned him into a global star, and soon, the money started rolling in. In 1991, he earned $1 million for "My Girl." Then came "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" in 1992, where his salary skyrocketed to $4.5 million. Interestingly, he took a pay cut for "The Good Son" in 1993, earning $1.5 million, but by 1994, he was back on top, earning $8 million each for "Getting Even with Dad" and "Richie Rich." All told, between 1989 and 1994, Macaulay raked in a staggering $23.5 million, which would be around $40 million today when adjusted for inflation. Not bad for a kid, right?

• "Uncle Buck" (1989): $40 thousand
• "Home Alone" (1990): $100 thousand
• "My Girl" (1991): $1 million
• "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" (1992): $4.5 million
• "The Good Son" (1993): $1.5 million
• "Getting Even with Dad" (1994): $8 million
• "Ri¢hie Ri¢h" (1994): $8 million

Total: $23.5 million

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That’s some serious cash, and it’s a testament to just how big Macaulay was back then. Adjusted for inflation, it’s like earning $40 million today. Not too shabby for a kid who made us all laugh and cheer.

Macaulay's Beginnings: A Child Star is Born

Macaulay Culkin was born on August 26, 1980, in Manhattan, New York City. His dad, Christopher Culkin, was a former Broadway actor, and his mom, Patricia Brentrup, gave him a creative upbringing. Macaulay was named after Thomas Babington Macaulay, and he wasn’t the only performer in the family—some of his siblings also found their way into acting. Growing up, Macaulay attended St. Joseph's School of Yorkville for five years before switching to the Professional Children's School. It was clear from the start that he was destined for the spotlight.

Macaulay's Rise to Stardom

Macaulay’s career began at the tender age of four when he started appearing in small theater productions, TV movies, and television roles. One of his early breakout performances was in the 1989 film "Uncle Buck," where he co-starred with the late, great John Candy. But it was "Home Alone" in 1990 that truly launched him into superstardom. Playing Kevin McCallister, Macaulay captured the hearts of audiences worldwide and earned critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination. He didn’t stop there. The following year, he starred in the Saturday morning cartoon "Wish Kid," hosted "Saturday Night Live," and even appeared in Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video. His role in "My Girl" in 1991 showcased his range as an actor, and in 1992, he returned as Kevin in "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," commanding a hefty $4.5 million paycheck. He took on more mature roles, like in "The Good Son," where he played a darker character and earned an MTV Movie Award nomination. By the mid-'90s, though, Macaulay decided to step back from acting and focus on his education, attending a private high school in NYC.

Life After Hollywood: Macaulay's Comeback

Macaulay re-emerged in 1998 with a role in Sonic Youth's music video for "Sunday." In 2000, he acted in the West End play "Madame Melville." His return to films came in 2003 with "Party Monster," where he played the infamous Michael Alig. Critics loved his performance, and it proved that Macaulay could still deliver as an adult actor. He followed this with a supporting role in "Saved!" in 2004, alongside Jenna Malone and Mandy Moore. The movie was a sleeper hit, and Macaulay's performance was praised. He also lent his voice to Seth Green's animated series "Robot Chicken." In 2006, he published a semi-autobiographical novel called "Junior," which delved into his experiences as a child star and his complicated relationship with his father. He continued to act in films like "Sex and Breakfast" and the NBC series "Kings." In 2011, he starred in Adam Green's experimental film "The Wrong Ferrari," which was shot entirely on an iPhone. Macaulay even formed a band called The Pizza Underground, combining his love for pizza and rock music. However, the band disbanded in 2016 after some rocky performances. In 2019, Macaulay appeared in Seth Green's film "Changeland," and he joined the cast of "American Horror Story" in 2020. He also runs Bunny Ears, a satirical website and podcast that pokes fun at celebrity culture.

Macaulay's Google Assistant Commercial

After the band's breakup, Macaulay turned his attention to web content and podcasting. One of his most memorable appearances in recent years was a Google Assistant commercial in 2018. In the ad, he reprised his role as Kevin from "Home Alone," showing how much older he’s gotten since the original movie. The commercial was a hit, and Macaulay reportedly earned $1 million for his work.

Macaulay's Personal Life: Love, Family, and Real Estate

Macaulay's personal life has been as interesting as his career. He was once engaged to Mila Kunis, but the relationship didn’t last. He was married to actress Rachel Miner from 1998 to 2002. Since 2017, he’s been in a relationship with actress Brenda Song, his co-star in "Changeland." The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Dakota, in April 2021, honoring Macaulay's late sister who passed away in 2008. They welcomed their second child in December 2022. On the real estate front, Macaulay owns properties in New York City and Paris. In 1999, he bought a three-bedroom loft in NYC for $1.73 million, which he sold in 2025 for $7.75 million. In 2022, he and Brenda purchased Kiefer Sutherland's Toluca Lake estate for $8 million. The home, built in 1935, is a luxurious 4,879-square-foot property with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and amenities like a swimming pool and putting green.

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