Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 5, 2025 · Entertainment

Macaulay Culkin Unveils John Candy's Early Recognition of His 'Monster' Father

Macaulay Culkin has revealed the late John Candy swiftly clocked onto the fact his father was a 'monster' - years before he became estranged from him

The Turbulent Life of Macaulay Culkin: A Star Born from Hell

In a shocking revelation, former child star Macaulay Culkin has exposed the dark side of his family's history in an explosive new documentary. The 45-year-old actor, known for his iconic roles in Home Alone and Uncle Buck, has revealed that his late father, John Candy, was one of the few people who saw through the monster that his biological dad, Kit Culkin, truly was.

In Colin Hanks' latest documentary, John Candy: I Like Me, Macaulay opens up about the tumultuous childhood he endured at the hands of his abusive father. "My dad, Kit, was a bad man," he candidly admits in an interview with People. "He was physically and emotionally abusive to me and my siblings." The disturbing allegations come as no surprise to those who know the Culkin family's history.

Culkin said Candy became a 'paternal' figure to him on set as his own father Kit - who he would later accuse of physical and emotional abuse - became an 'infamous monster.' - Macaulay and Kieran Culkin are pictured with father Christopher Cornelius 'Kit' Culkin, and mother Patricia Brentrup in 1990

Macaulay's parents, Kit and Patricia, managed his career from a young age, taking advantage of their son's talent and catapulting him to stardom. But behind closed doors, the family was plagued by financial struggles and physical abuse. Macaulay has spoken publicly about how his father would deny him basic necessities like a bed, forcing him to sleep on the couch.

In an explosive 2016 interview, Kit admitted that he had "disowned" Macaulay, claiming that their relationship was over. The shocking revelation came after Macaulay's mother, Patricia, accused Kit of physically and emotionally abusing his children. The allegations sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving fans and colleagues stunned.

But what's even more surprising is that John Candy, a dear friend to the Culkin family, sensed the turmoil within the household. "John Candy was always really kind and really good with me," Macaulay recalls in an interview. "He would often look out for me on set, making sure I was okay." It seems that Candy, who passed away in 1994 at just 43 years old, had a paternal instinct towards the young star.

Culkin said Candy became a 'paternal' figure to him on the set of 1989's Uncle Buck as his own father Kit - who he would later accuse of physical and emotional abuse - became an 'infamous monster' - pictured together with Jean Kelly and Gaby Hoffmann

As it turns out, Candy wasn't just a talented actor; he was also a compassionate human being. Macaulay praises his friend for recognizing the signs of abuse and showing genuine concern for his well-being. "John Candy's care was a testament to the kind of man he was," Macaulay says with gratitude.

But the Culkin family drama doesn't end there. In 2006, Macaulay published a memoir detailing his traumatic childhood experiences at the hands of his father. The book sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving fans and colleagues stunned.

As the years went by, Macaulay continued to speak out about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. He revealed that Kit would force him to stay up all night to learn lines, threatening physical violence if he didn't perform well on set. "My father was jealous of me," Macaulay candidly admits. "He wanted me to know that he was in charge."

Candy had a minor, yet important, role as Gus Polinski in  1990's Home Alone - which saw him reunite with Culkin

The situation came to a head when Macaulay took drastic measures to protect himself and his family's finances. In 2020, the actor told Esquire that he had removed his parents' names from his trust fund, citing concerns over their financial management.

But what many fans may not know is that Kit has since apologized for his actions, crediting his son with helping him become a better father figure to Macaulay's own children. The shocking revelation comes as a surprise to those who thought the family drama was long over.

Today, Macaulay is a devoted father of two, living with his fiancée Brenda Song and their young daughter Dakota. But the actor still bears scars from his traumatic childhood experiences. As he navigates the complex world of Hollywood, Macaulay remains fiercely protective of himself and those around him.

The youngster became a global star at the age of 10 as Home Alone's Kevin, the little boy left behind when his family leaves on Christmas vacation  he had been acting since the age of four

In an exclusive interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Macaulay opened up about the emotional toll his father's abuse took on his life. "I've learned to forgive my dad for what he did," he says with a hint of sadness. "But I'll never forget the pain he caused me and my family."

As the spotlight shines brighter on the Culkin family drama, one thing is clear: Macaulay's story is far from over. The actor has come a long way since his troubled childhood, but the wounds of the past still linger.

Sources:

Culkin said of Candy: I think John was looking a little side-eyed, like,

  • People
  • TheScholarlyNote.com

Culkin says his father, who also worked as his manager, began 'physically and mentally abusing' him, forcing him to stay up for hours to learn lines even when he was exhausted, and threatening physical violence if he ever messed up on set (pictured 1993)

Culkin shares two children with partner Brenda Song - pictured March 2025

His other early roles included the filmed live performance of The Nutcracker, the comedy movie Richie Rich (seen), and of course, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York