Macaulay Culkin explains why he is “technically retired”, despite new projects underway

The ‘Home Alone’ actor reflects on his on-and-off retirement and defends a career guided by desire, freedom and personal choice.

At 45, Macaulay Culkin describes himself as “technically retired”. The statement may sound puzzling given his recent activity, including a voice role in ‘Zootopia 2’, appearances in ‘Running Point’ and his return to the screen with season two of ‘Fallout’, which premiered recently.

The explanation came during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, where the actor outlined his unconventional relationship with the industry. “I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that job and immediately retire again. Every project is my last,” he said candidly.

Although Culkin has worked sporadically throughout his adult life, he also revisited the long hiatus that followed ‘The Pagemaster’ in 1994. “I stopped for almost a decade. I went to high school, fell in love, got drunk for the first time — things like that,” he recalled, emphasising the freedom afforded by having achieved financial security at a young age.

That independence lies at the heart of his current outlook. “I was in a position where I could do nothing and play video games all day. I could do whatever I wanted,” he explained, making it clear that necessity is no longer a motivator. “I was done. I made my name, left my mark, made my fortune. The only reason I work now is because I enjoy it.” For Culkin, the only valid reasons to accept a project are straightforward: pay, pleasure and prestige.

In parallel, the actor recently surprised fans by revealing that he has an idea for a new instalment of ‘Home Alone’, in which he would revisit his iconic role as Kevin McCallister. A possibility that, true to his philosophy, would only materialise if he genuinely felt like returning to it.