Macaulay Culkin – Net Worth 2025, Family Life and What He Does Now

What Is Macaulay Culkin Doing Now in 2025?

Macaulay Culkin, the former child star who became a household name as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, is now 45 years old and living a deliberately quiet life in New York City. He shares his home with longtime partner Brenda Song and their two young sons. Although he describes himself as “technically retired,” Culkin continues to appear in selective projects and maintains a strong cultural presence through his satirical podcast and occasional public appearances.

In 2025, Culkin voiced the character Cattrick Lynxley in Disney’s Zootopia 2 and took on a recurring role as Lacerta Legate in the second season of the hit series Fallout. These roles mark a gradual return to voice and genre work after years of relative screen absence. He was also announced as a presenter for the 2026 Golden Globes ceremony on January 11, 2026, signaling ongoing industry goodwill despite his semi-retired status.

Beyond acting, Culkin co-hosts “Bunny Ears,” a satirical podcast and media brand that blends absurdist humor with celebrity interviews. The show has become a signature outlet for his creative energy, allowing him to stay connected with fans without the demands of a full-time acting schedule. He does not maintain an official Instagram account, but remains visible through media interviews and public events.

Overview and Quick Facts

Key Insights

• Culkin earned approximately $8 million per film during his peak Home Alone years in the early 1990s.
• He quit mainstream acting at age 14 in 1994, following a legal battle with his parents over his finances.
• He returned to screen roles in 2003 with the indie film Party Monster.
• His wealth is primarily derived from childhood earnings, later supplemented by residuals and selective projects.
• He maintains a low-profile lifestyle in New York City, deliberately avoiding the paparazzi scene of Los Angeles.
• In early 2025, he briefly considered purchasing the iconic Home Alone house to turn into a “movie fun house,” but decided against it due to his children’s needs and his busy schedule.

Snapshot Facts

Who Is Macaulay Culkin’s Wife? His Relationship with Brenda Song

Macaulay Culkin is in a long-term relationship with actress Brenda Song, best known for her roles in Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and the film The Social Network. The couple has been together since 2017, though they are not married. Reports confirm they maintain a close, stable partnership and live together in New York City with their two sons.

Children and Family Life

Culkin and Song have two sons: Dakota Song Culkin, born in April 2021, and Carson Song Culkin, born in December 2022. The family leads a relatively private life, with Culkin frequently citing fatherhood as his full-time priority. He has stated in interviews that being a dad is “the most important thing” in his life today.

Previous Relationships

Before Brenda Song, Culkin was married to actress Rachel Miner from 1998 to 2002. The marriage ended in divorce. He also had a long-term relationship with actress Mila Kunis from 2002 to 2011, though the two remain on friendly terms. His relationship with Song is widely regarded as his most stable and private partnership to date.

For more on actors who have navigated fame from a young age, see our article on Cole Sprouse – Age, Twin Brother, Net Worth, and More.

What Is Macaulay Culkin’s Net Worth and How Did He Earn It?

Macaulay Culkin’s net worth is estimated at $25 million as of 2025–2026, according to reports from Parade and CelebrityNetworth. Some sources, including RadioGuide, have cited a lower estimate of approximately $18 million, but the $25 million figure is more consistently reported across major outlets. His wealth is almost entirely rooted in his extraordinary earnings as a child star.

At the height of his fame in the early 1990s, Culkin reportedly earned around $8 million per film for the Home Alone franchise. Before retiring at age 14, he had accumulated an estimated $23.5 million — roughly $50.9 million when adjusted for inflation. These earnings, combined with residuals and later selective projects, form the foundation of his current net worth.

Career Biography and Movie Credits

Culkin’s filmography includes a mix of blockbuster hits and cult favorites. His most notable credits include Home Alone (1990), My Girl (1991), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), The Good Son (1993), Richie Rich (1994), The Pagemaster (1994), Saved! (2004), and Party Monster (2003). In television, he appeared in American Horror Story and Righteous Gemstones.

What Was Macaulay Culkin’s Relationship with Michael Jackson?

Macaulay Culkin had a well-documented friendship with pop star Michael Jackson, which began when Culkin was a child star in the early 1990s. He appeared in Jackson’s music video for “Black or White” and later became the godfather to Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson. The friendship drew significant public scrutiny, particularly during Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial.

Culkin testified in the trial on behalf of Jackson, stating that he had never witnessed any inappropriate behavior. He described Jackson as a close and trusted friend. In subsequent interviews, Culkin has maintained that their relationship was entirely appropriate and that Jackson was a positive influence in his life during a turbulent childhood.

Despite ongoing public curiosity, Culkin has rarely elaborated beyond his trial testimony and brief media comments. He has acknowledged that the friendship was unusual due to their age difference and Jackson’s fame, but he has consistently defended Jackson’s character. The exact nature of their relationship outside of trial accounts remains a topic of speculation, though no credible evidence has emerged to contradict Culkin’s statements.

How Old Is Macaulay Culkin? A Look at His Age, Early Career, and Movies

Macaulay Culkin is 45 years old, born in August 1980. His exact birth date varies slightly across sources, but August 10, 1980, is the most commonly cited date. He stands approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall, a detail widely reported in biographical listings.

Culkin’s career began at age four with an off-Broadway role. By 1989, he had landed a breakthrough part in Uncle Buck, followed by the global phenomenon of Home Alone in 1990. At the peak of his fame, he was one of the highest-paid child actors in Hollywood history. However, by age 14, legal disputes with his parents over his finances led him to step away from acting entirely.

Career Timeline

1. 1980: Born in New York City, third of seven children.
2. 1985: First acting role at age 4 in an off-Broadway play.
3. 1989: Breakthrough role in Uncle Buck.
4. 1990: Starred in Home Alone — global fame and massive box office success.
5. 1991: Starred in My Girl; continued critical and commercial recognition.
6. 1992: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York released.
7. 1994: Legal battle with parents over finances; took a hiatus from acting at age 14.
8. 2003: Returned to acting in independent film Party Monster.
9. 2005: Testified in the Michael Jackson trial on Jackson’s behalf.
10. 2018: Launched the satirical podcast “Bunny Ears.”
11. 2021: First child with Brenda Song, Dakota, born.
12. 2022: Second child, Carson, born.
13. 2025: Voiced role in Zootopia 2; role in Fallout Season 2; considered buying Home Alone house.
14. 2026: Announced as presenter for the 2026 Golden Globes.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Macaulay Culkin’s Life?

The Context of Macaulay Culkin’s Career Trajectory

Macaulay Culkin’s career reflects the intense pressures of child stardom. After achieving global success at a very young age, he navigated family legal battles and stepped back from Hollywood during his teenage years. Unlike many child stars, he avoided major scandals and rebuilt his public image on his own terms — through social media, a podcast, and carefully chosen projects. His enduring popularity is fueled by nostalgia for Home Alone and his candid, self-aware public presence. The public’s continued interest in his net worth, family life, and connection to Michael Jackson demonstrates how past fame can sustain curiosity for decades.

For a deeper look at actors who have transitioned away from Hollywood, read our piece on Evangeline Lilly – Movies, Retirement and Life After Hollywood.

Sources and Quotes

“I’m a dad now. That’s my full-time job.”

— Macaulay Culkin, interview with Esquire (2022)

“I didn’t really care about acting. I wanted to have a normal life.”

— Macaulay Culkin, interview on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ (2020)

“He was a good friend. I never saw anything inappropriate.”

— Macaulay Culkin on Michael Jackson, testimony (2005) / subsequent interviews

Primary sources for this article include Parade, TV Insider, RadioGuide, and Reddit (popculturechat). Additional context was drawn from Social Life Magazine regarding his brother Kieran Culkin’s net worth.

What’s Next for Macaulay Culkin?

As of mid-2026, Culkin is expected to continue hosting the “Bunny Ears” podcast, possibly with new seasons. He may take on occasional guest appearances on television or in film, though no confirmed major roles have been announced. He will appear as a presenter at the 2026 Golden Globes. His primary focus, however, remains on family life with Brenda Song and their two sons in New York City. No indications suggest a full return to mainstream acting.

Frequently Asked Questions