Kieran Culkin’s Net Worth and Salary
Kieran Culkin is an American actor with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He first gained recognition for his role in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, where he starred alongside his older brother, Macaulay Culkin. Over the years, Kieran has successfully carved out his own career, starring in critically acclaimed films and television series. His breakthrough performance came in Igby Goes Down (2002), which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. However, his most notable role to date is Roman Roy in HBO’s hit series Succession (2018–2023), which brought him multiple awards, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Culkin’s earnings have grown significantly over the years. While he initially earned $100,000 per episode for Succession, his salary was later increased to $350,000 per episode in the third season, amounting to $3.5 million for that season alone. In January 2025, he won another Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 2024 film A Real Pain.
Early Life and Background
Kieran Kyle Culkin was born on September 30, 1982, in New York City. He is the son of Patricia Brentrup and Kit Culkin, a former Broadway stage actor. Raised in a family of performers, Kieran has six siblings, including actors Macaulay, Rory, Quinn, and Christian Culkin. Through his mother, he has German and Norwegian ancestry, while his father has Irish, English, Swiss-German, French, and German heritage.
Culkin’s upbringing was deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, but his parents’ separation in 1994 led to his estrangement from his father. Despite personal challenges, he continued to pursue a successful acting career.
Credit By:MAX NASH/AFP/Getty Images
Career Beginnings and Early Roles
Kieran Culkin made his film debut in Home Alone (1990), playing Fuller McCallister, the cousin of Macaulay Culkin’s character. He continued to land roles in family-friendly films such as:
- Father of the Bride (1991)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- My Summer Story (1994)
- Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
- Nowhere to Run (1993)
As he transitioned into adolescence, he took on more complex roles in films like The Mighty (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999), and Igby Goes Down (2002). His performance in Igby Goes Down was widely praised, earning him several accolades, including:
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Performer
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Youth in Film
- Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
- A nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Continued Success in Film and Television
Culkin has maintained a steady acting career with roles in various films, including:
- She’s All That (1999)
- Music of the Heart (1999)
- The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)
- Lymelife (2008)
- Paper Man (2009)
- Three Stories About Joan (2009)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
- Margaret (2011)
- Movie 43 (2013)
- Quitters (2015)
- Wiener-Dog (2016)
- Infinity Baby (2017)
His television credits include guest appearances on Saturday Night Live (1991), Frasier (1996), The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (1999), Go Fish (2001), Fargo (2015), and Long Live the Royals (2015).
Breakthrough Role in Succession
From 2018 to 2023, Kieran Culkin portrayed Roman Roy in HBO’s Succession, a role that propelled him to mainstream recognition. Starring alongside Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, and Brian Cox, he played a sharp-tongued media executive navigating the treacherous world of corporate power.
For his performance in Succession, Culkin earned multiple nominations and awards:
- Four Golden Globe nominations, winning in 2024 for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama
- Three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2023
His salary for the series increased significantly over time. In the first two seasons, he earned $100,000 per episode. By season three, his per-episode salary had climbed to $350,000, totaling $3.5 million for that season alone.
Theater Work
Beyond film and television, Culkin has also made a name for himself in the theater world. He has starred in multiple stage productions, including:
The Moment When (2000) at Playwrights Horizons in New York
After Ashley (2004) at the Vineyard Theatre in New York
subUrbia (2007) at the Second Stage Theatre in New York
This Is Our Youth, performed at various locations:
- Garrick Theatre, London (2003)
- Sydney Opera House (2012)
- Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago (2014)
- Cort Theatre, New York (2014)
Personal Life
In 2013, Kieran Culkin married Jazz Charton. The couple shares two children, daughter Kinsey Sioux and son Wilder Wolf. Despite his fame, Culkin maintains a relatively private life, focusing on his family and career.
Conclusion
Kieran Culkin has successfully built an impressive acting career, moving beyond his early association with his brother Macaulay. With a net worth of $5 million, he has earned recognition for his versatility in film, television, and theater. His portrayal of Roman Roy in Succession solidified his place among Hollywood’s top actors, earning him critical acclaim and financial success. As he continues to take on diverse roles, his career is expected to flourish further in the years to come.
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