Kieran Culkin, most known for his role as Roman Roy in the HBO series Succession, has revealed that an unnamed director got a little bit too harsh on him.
The actor made his first film debut as a child star after starring alongside his famous brother Macaulay Culkin in the 1990s Christmas movie, Home Alone.
That was not his first acting job though as Culkin once appeared in a commercial at the age of 6 which was related to learning disabilities.
During an episode on the SmartLess podcast with hosts Will Arnett, Sean Hayes and Jason Bateman, Culkin recalled the moment that left him shocked as a child.
Culkin was asked, “What was the first professional experience you had working in TV, film.. etc.”
He answered, “The first professional experience I had was a commercial when I was 6, and I actually don’t quite know what it was for.”
He continued: “It was for something to do with learning disabilities.”
“I remember the concept was I’m standing in front of a chalkboard with chalk in my hand and I don’t know how to solve the easy thing in front of me.”
“The kids in the class are supposed to be calling me ‘dummy’ and ‘stupid’ and all that,” he added.
“And I have a distinct memory of being there and the director going, ‘Action,’ and he starts going, ‘Dummy, idiot, stupid.'”
The hosts then started laughing in shock, “Wow.”
Culkin adds, “Even then I’m thinking like, you know, I get it.”
“Stand here and look sad.”
“I’m not f—ing Method. I’m 6. Like, what’s wrong with you?”
Despite that, Culkin didn’t let it get to him as he has gone on to have a relatively good acting career.
He starred alongside Michael Cera, Aubrey Plaza, Brie Larson and Chris Evans in the 2010 movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
His most recent role was playing Jesse Eisenberg’s cousin in the 2024 comedy, A Real Pain.
The pair are described as two mismatched cousins who go travelling to Poland to honour their late great-grandmother and to connect with their heritage.
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