Macaulay Culkin Shares What Happened to the Kids from ‘Home Alone’

In a delightful turn of events, Macaulay Culkin revealed that his own children have no idea he starred as Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone films. The actor shared the revelation while promoting his career-spanning “A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin” tour, which celebrates the 35th anniversary of the beloved holiday classic.

“They have no idea it’s me,” Culkin told the podcast On Film…With Kevin McCarthy. “They watch Home Alone, and they go, ‘That’s Kevin.’” For Culkin, who is father to 4-year-old Dakota and 3-year-old Carson with fiancée Brenda Song, the disconnect between his screen persona and his role as dad has created some surprisingly charming moments.

Hilarious and Adorable Misunderstandings

The actor recounted one particularly funny exchange that perfectly captures the innocent confusion of young children. “Two days ago, my oldest wanted to see pictures of me and my siblings,” Culkin said. “I pulled out an old family photo, and he looks directly at me and says, ‘That kid looks like Kevin. Who’s that?’ I told him, ‘That’s me.’ And kind of just waiting for the other shoe to drop. He’s like, ‘Oh, anyway.’ And I was like, ‘OK, cool.’ Got to keep up the illusion for as long as possible.”

This playful ignorance isn’t a one-off. In December 2024, Culkin told E! News that Dakota even believes he himself is Kevin in the movie. “He thinks he’s Kevin,” Culkin said. “I’m like, ‘Do you remember going down the stairs on the sled?’ He’s like, ‘Mhm, yep. Sure do.’ I’m like, ‘Do you remember when he had yellow hair?’ And he’s like, ‘Uh-huh, yep.’” The anecdote underscores both the innocence and the whimsy that children bring to family life, even when it involves cinematic legend.

The Magic of Childhood and Nostalgia

Culkin’s experiences highlight a larger truth about the intersections of childhood, fame, and nostalgia. While many adults have grown up idolizing his role as Kevin, his own children remain blissfully unburdened by the legacy, seeing only their father as dad. For fans, these stories humanize the star, reminding us that even cultural icons can have ordinary, endearing family moments.

There’s also a tantalizing hint for Home Alone fans: Culkin has joked about a potential sequel in which one of his sons could take on Kevin’s role, while he steps into the role of a grown-up Marv or Harry. Whether or not that ever happens, the playful confusion of his kids proves that the magic of Home Alone continues to live on, not just on-screen, but in the next generation of Culkins. And given these anecdotes, it may be time for a Culkin family vlog — after all, who wouldn’t want to peek behind the curtain of the life of cinema’s most beloved mischief-maker?

Home Alone Tour Dates:
11/30 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Texas Trust CU Theatre
12/03 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre Jacksonville
12/04 – Tampa, FL @ Carol Morsani Hall at David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
12/06 – Rochester, NY @ West Herr Auditorium Theatre
12/07 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort
12/09 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
12/10 – Waukee, IA @ Vibrant Music Hall
12/12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre