Beloved '90s Child Star Says He's 'Technically' Retired From Acting
- - Beloved '90s Child Star Says He's 'Technically' Retired From Acting
Nicole MooreDecember 30, 2025 at 1:34 AM
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Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage/Getty Images
Macaulay Culkin is letting his fans know that he's "technically retired."
Entertainment Weekly reported that Culkin, who rose to fame during the early 1990s with his roles in Home Alone, Uncle Buck, and My Girl, discussed his career as a former child star in the December 29 episode of the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes.
Culkin, who is engaged to actress Brenda Song, explained that he doesn't look for acting gigs.
“Technically, I’m retired right now. I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last," said Culkin during the interview.
He also said that he "quit for nearly a decade" once he wrapped the movie, Richie Rich, released in 1994.
"Just went to high school, fell in love, got drunk for the first time, things like that," said the 45-year-old on the podcast episode.
He explained that he "had a yearning to go to school, to have contemporaries and things like that" because "when [he] was younger, [he] never worked with people [his] own age." In addition, Culkin said that he made enough money as a successful child star that he "could do anything [he] wanted."
"I was doneskies. I was like, 'I hope you all made your money because there's no more coming from me.' I made my name. I made my mark. I made my fortune. The only reason why I even do it now is because I like to do it. Pay, pleasure, prestige — that's the only reason to do a gig," said Culkin during the podcast interview, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Macaulay Culkin Met Brenda Song While Filming the 2019 Movie 'Changeland'
In a 2018 interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, Culkin made similar comments about stepping away from acting. He said that he'll work on a project "if it's a cool like neat little gig," but doesn't "really pursue acting." He then said that he agreed to star in the 2019 film, Changeland, because it was written and directed by his friend, Seth Green. He clarified that he didn't do it as "a favor," but rather because it sounded "like fun."
Culkin met Song while filming Changeland in Thailand. In a March 2025 interview with Buzzfeed, Song explained she and Culkin had "a fling" during the production of the movie. She said after filming, she realized that she had deeper feelings for Culkin, as she began to miss him.
"I missed him and I feel like I never miss anyone," recalled Song in the interview.
She said that he called her and asked to spend time with her in Los Angeles, where she resided, even though he was in New York.
"I got like those like butterflies in my stomach. And I remember I felt like that was the moment I was like, 'Oh is this like my person?'" said Song, who shares two children with Culkin.
Culkin and Song provided voices for the characters, Cattrick and Kitty Lynxley, for the 2025 animated film, Zootopia 2. While speaking to The Movie Times in November 2025, the couple shared they were able to record their lines together in the same booth. Culkin revealed that he did cause a bit of trouble because he wanted to make Song laugh.
"I kept trying to ruin the take by making her laugh," said Culkin in the interview.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
