SMARTLESS | “Macaulay Culkin”
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett
Aired: December 29, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of "SmartLess" features a candid and often hilarious conversation with Macaulay Culkin, the iconic child actor best known for "Home Alone." The hosts—Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett—delve into Culkin’s journey from early stardom, family dynamics, and his famous hiatus from the business to his measured return to acting, fatherhood, and finding peace outside the spotlight. Along the way, the group explores topics including the challenges of growing up famous, personal contentment, and, of course, nostalgia for childhood pop culture and the holidays.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening Banter & Nostalgia
[02:08-03:00]
- The hosts joke about their holiday rituals and pajamas, segueing into the introduction.
- Playful references to classic holiday movies set a warm, humorous tone.
- Sean admits to being late because his house is full of his niece and her friends, sparking anecdotes about family and sleepovers.
Introduction of Macaulay Culkin
[10:09]
- Will reveals Macaulay as the surprise guest, celebrating his long career and the immense fame stemming from childhood roles, especially "Home Alone."
- Macaulay joins in, wearing pajamas, immediately vibing with the hosts' mix of ribbing and sincerity.
Claiming Cities & Characters
[11:14]
- Will remarks on Macaulay’s New Yorker heritage versus his iconic Chicago role.
- Macaulay: “I love how a New Yorker is like a Chicago — like, you know, they love me there. I do gangbusters there.”
Early Start in Show Business
[15:27-17:15]
- Will probes Macaulay about his start:
“Was this predetermined or were you…”
- Macaulay shares it was his father’s idea to try show business, but he ended up booking jobs quickly.
“I started out earning everyone else pretty fast.” [16:00]
- His first film was "Rocket Gibraltar" at age six.
- On early acting:
“Memorize your lines, don’t look in the camera. Find your light, hit your marks…”
- Jason jokes Sean’s still working on those basics.
Growing Up in the Spotlight & Family Dynamics
[17:36-22:00]
- Macaulay discusses the adult work environment and missing out on time with peers.
- He quit acting at 14 for nearly a decade, using that time to live a more traditional teenage life, including school and falling in love.
- Reflects on financial independence:
“I was dunskis... 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.” [19:44]
- On why he acts now: For “play, pay, or pleasure, or prestige.”
Dealing with Fame, Autonomy, and Resentment
[25:30-28:13]
- Will asks about whether he resented being monetized by others. Macaulay says he mostly benefited but felt unheeded when requesting breaks as a kid.
“It was just like, oh, I’m on the hamster wheel and I can’t get off. Once I had some autonomy...I grabbed it with both hands.” [26:28]
- On his father:
“I had a pretty acrimonious relationship with my father, famously so. As soon as I was able to kind of push him out, my quality of life… went up.” [27:25]
Public Life, Boundaries, and the Social Contract
[30:54-31:32]
- On being publicly recognized:
“I definitely have to gird myself for outings and so forth... Don’t approach me when I’m at the dinner table. Don’t approach me when I’m with my kids. Definitely don’t follow me to the bathroom. I’m in charge of the social contract.” [31:07]
- Shares how he sets boundaries to manage interactions and protect his family.
Return to Acting & Selectivity
[31:57-35:55]
- Describes testing acting again in his 20s via London theater, then "Party Monster," purposely choosing indie/left-of-center projects.
“I didn’t want to just jump into studio fare...I wanted something Sundance-y.” [35:22]
- On returning:
“It was nice to try those boots on for size… again having some autonomy.”
Fatherhood, Family, and Legacy
[36:46-41:38]
- Macaulay touches on family life with partner Brenda Song and their kids.
- On his unconventional upbringing:
“I’m kind of reinventing the wheel. I didn’t really have good role models. My father was a goddamn piece of work.” [39:04]
- Wants to break the cycle:
“I don’t want the sins of my father being passed on to my kids.” [39:58]
- Discusses relationships with his siblings (noting Kieran and Rory’s acting careers) but says they rarely talk shop.
Philosophy on Work and Contentment
[42:06-43:20]
- Jason presses on creative ambition. Macaulay:
“I’ll know it when I see it. I treat [work] like pornography... I know it when I see it.”
- He rejects the rat race mentality:
“You could win an Oscar...and you know what they ask you? ‘What are you doing next?’ As if it’s not good enough, you know? I don’t buy into that.” [43:25]
Vegas, Hobbies, and LEGO Love
[44:46-58:29]
- Macaulay and hosts swap stories about Vegas. He’s a blackjack fan (doesn’t drink when gambling as “the trick”).
- Shares his love for building LEGOs as a meditative, restorative hobby:
“I build a lot of Legos. I probably built about 30 sets in the last 40 days.” [57:33] “You sort things out, you build it piece by piece, you get that release of endorphins when you’re done.” [57:55]
- His sons enjoy LEGO Batman, and he went as a toilet for Halloween at their request, delighting in these everyday parenting moments.
Reflections on “Home Alone” and Legacy
[50:33-54:39 & 63:00-64:39]
- Will shares the story of a real-life footballer named Kevin MacAllister, actually named after Macaulay’s character.
- Macaulay reflects on embracing rather than fighting the "Kevin" identity:
“The trick is just relax, set up your own ground rules... Realizing that I’m in charge of the social interaction.” [50:54]
- On his own kids not recognizing him in "Home Alone":
“My oldest… thinks he’s Kevin McAllister. He doesn’t put it together that it’s me.” [63:00] “…One day, it’s going to dawn on them.” [63:41]
- Watching the film with his children gives the movie new meaning.
Closing Thoughts & Takeaways
[66:06-66:41]
- The hosts marvel at Macaulay’s equanimity.
Jason: “He’s got that magic sort of indifference… about work and success and all that stuff.” [66:27] Will: “You know, the thing about the sexy indifference is it’s kind of naughty.” [66:45]
- They appreciate how he’s parented himself, maintained contentment, and “figured it out.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On quitting show business:
"I was dunskis. I made my name. I made my mark. I made my fortune.”
— Macaulay Culkin, [19:44] -
On his approach to fame:
"I’m in charge of the social contract. I’m in charge of the interaction."
— Macaulay Culkin, [31:32] -
On his children not recognizing him in Home Alone:
“They don’t know it’s me… It’s going to dawn on them, and it’s going to be like — yeah.”
— Macaulay Culkin, [64:21-64:29] -
On creative ambition and choices:
"I treat [acting] like pornography. …I’ll know it when I see it."
— Macaulay Culkin, [43:20] -
On LEGO therapy:
"You get that release of endorphins when you're done. That sense of accomplishment...I probably built about 30 sets in the last like 40 days."
— Macaulay Culkin, [57:33, 57:55] -
Will on child stardom:
"At 14, you’re about as famous a person as there is on the planet."
— Will Arnett, [30:22] -
Jason on contentment:
"I'm so in awe of your contentment... not particularly obsessed or drawn to any one particular thing."
— Jason Bateman, [42:06]
Important Timestamps
- Holiday talk, show open: [02:08–03:00]
- Guest reveal, Macaulay joins: [10:09]
- Start in show business, early years: [15:27–17:15]
- Hiatus and reflections on child acting: [18:03–20:12]
- Parental dynamics and autonomy: [25:30–28:13]
- Boundaries with fans/public: [31:07–31:32]
- Return via theater, Party Monster: [31:57–35:55]
- Fatherhood and breaking cycles: [36:46–41:38]
- Work philosophy and indifference: [42:06–43:20]
- Vegas, LEGOs, and family anecdotes: [44:46–58:29]
- On embracing the Home Alone legacy: [50:33–54:39]
- Parenting as both a legacy and new experience: [63:00–64:39]
- Hosts’ final reflections: [66:06–66:41]
Tone & Style
As always, the episode is rich with the show’s signature blend of irreverent humor, warmth, and vulnerability—switching from teasing and laughter to genuine, thoughtful dialogue. Macaulay matches the hosts' comedic timing, reveals his personal growth, and warmly shares about his unconventional but happy present.
Summary Takeaway
This freewheeling yet sincere conversation reveals Macaulay Culkin as a grounded, grateful, and introspective adult. He’s forged boundaries, rebuilt his life and family on his own terms, and maintains a healthy detachment from fame and the need for validation. The episode balances nostalgia, laughter, and real insight into growing up famous, the complexities of family, and the search for happiness beyond Hollywood.