From sibling shadow to spotlight: Kieran Culkin's late bloom bags Emmy for 'Succession'
Kieran Culkin, only two years younger than his once more well-known brother Macaulay Culkin, has spent much of his life in his older sibling's shadow. Macaulay was the family’s main income source and whom the American media catapulted as the "miracle child," "Christmas icon," and a 90s superstar who defined a generation of today's 40-year-olds. Everything Macaulay touched turned to gold, and he boasted a slew of successful films such as "Home Alone" (where Kieran played their bedwetting cousin Fuller), "Home Alone in New York", "Richie Rich", and "My Girl".
To cinema and pop culture enthusiasts, Kevin, Macaulay's character in Home Alone, symbolized American opulence. It showcased a world of immense ice cream tubs, gigantic pizzas, and countless sweets, hitherto inaccessible for kids growing up amidst two changing political systems. This cultural phenomenon seemingly has no end, though today, more discerning individuals may wonder how a large family like the McCallisters could afford a Christmas trip to Paris or might attempt to figure out the rate of inflation based on Kevin's local supermarket purchases. Those were indeed splendid days!
While Mac, older by two years, represented "Team USA" on tours in Japan, younger Kieran had to accept that his brother was receiving all the attention and find his way in a world where he was not the center. Years later, precisely thirty in 2021, while hosting an episode of the famous comedy show "Saturday Night Live", he mentioned in his opening dialogue that it wasn't his first time on the iconic "SNL" stage. His first visit was when Macaulay was the show's star, hoisted in celebratory cheers by the episode’s cast.
Kieran was there too, but sadly sidelined, pushed away from the spotlight and the center. He once asked a tall actor behind him to lift him triumphantly, just like his brother was being hoisted. Watching these scenes with an adult, Kieran brings a kind of sorrow and bitterness, an emotion familiar to younger siblings of prodigies or adolescent sports stars. Always second, always off the single-stepped podium, making a name for oneself under such circumstances is a challenge many have failed. Kieran prevailed.
He has remained loyal to his wife Jazz for over ten years, with whom he has two kids, and also, since he was 29, to his agent Emily Gerson-Saines. He credits her as the only one who persisted in pushing his name in the industry when no one considered him in the castings. He played one of the most significant roles in “Succession”, one of the best modern drama series. The series consistently earned HBO several awards over the past seasons and boosted the platform’s ratings.
His role in "Succession" launched him to the pinnacle of his career, earning him Critics Choice Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe this season alone. He consistently measured up against audience favorite Pedro Pascal in a competitive TV season and vied for supremacy with his "Succession" co-stars - Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox. He handles it all with rare ease, humility, and an endearing persona. While on stage, he sometimes burps, forgets his words, and stumbles on who to acknowledge and wave to.
Though he waited a long time for his big break, the taste of success must be delightful. Even if he doesn't have any sensational roles lined up, with agents and producers not queueing up with superhero offers or a romantic comedy that will present 'another side of Kieran’, it's perfectly fine. All he needs to do is go home, look at his accolades collection, and ponder how to use his time moving forward. He is now capable of doing whatever he wants with it. Now he can.
