Kieran Culkin is an American actor born September 30, 1982, who began his career as a child performer in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). The brother of Macaulay Culkin achieved critical breakthrough with Igby Goes Down (2002), earning a Golden Globe nomination. He gained widespread recognition portraying Roman Roy in HBO’s Succession (2018-2023), winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2024, with additional accomplishments awaiting exploration.
Kieran Culkin, born September 30, 1982, in New York City, has emerged as one of contemporary television‘s most compelling character actors, transforming from a childhood performer in mainstream family films to a critically acclaimed star recognized for his nuanced portrayals of morally complex figures.
The son of Kit Culkin, a former stage and child actor, and Patricia Brentrup, Kieran grew up in an entertainment industry family of mixed Irish, German, Norwegian, English, Swiss-German, and French ancestry. He is one of seven siblings, including notable actors Macaulay, Rory, Quinn, Shane, Dakota, and Christian Culkin, establishing the family as a prominent force in Hollywood. Growing up in Manhattan, the family faced financial struggles while living in a railroad apartment in Yorkville. His aunt Bonnie Bedelia is also an established actress in the entertainment industry.
Culkin began his career as a child actor in off-Broadway productions before making his film debut as Fuller McCallister in *Home Alone* (1990) alongside his brother Macaulay. He subsequently appeared in *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992) and built a résumé of supporting roles throughout the 1990s, including appearances in *Father of the Bride* (1991) and *The Mighty* (1998).
His breakthrough came with the lead role in *Igby Goes Down* (2002), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination and established his reputation for portraying distasteful yet sympathetic characters. Culkin continued developing his craft through stage productions, including *This Is Our Youth* on Broadway and in London’s West End, while appearing in films such as *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World* (2010), where he portrayed Wallace Wells.
Culkin’s career-defining role came with his portrayal of Roman Roy in HBO’s *Succession* (2018-2023), a performance that earned him widespread critical acclaim and demonstrated his ability to balance dark comedy with dramatic depth. This role showcased his talent for delivering sharp wit while revealing the vulnerability beneath morally ambiguous characters.
His achievements include an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *A Real Pain* (2024), a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for *Succession*, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He returned to Broadway in 2025, portraying Richard Roma in the revival of *Glengarry Glen Ross*.
Beyond live-action performances, Culkin has expanded into voice acting, contributing to *Solar Opposites* since 2022 and reprising Wallace Wells in the animated series *Scott Pilgrim Takes Off* (2023).
Married to Jazz Charton with children, Culkin maintains a relatively low public profile while consistently choosing character-driven independent projects that showcase his range and commitment to substantive storytelling.
