‘Every Gig Is My Last’: Why Macaulay Culkin Says He’s Retired From Acting (Even Though He’s Actively Working)

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Macaulay Culkin, despite recently appearing in film and streaming projects, insists he’s essentially retired. He hasn’t completely left acting, but he’s also not actively seeking out new roles. He’s crafted a career where he works on his own schedule and defines success for himself, which means he has his own unique take on what ‘retirement’ looks like.

Macaulay Culkin recently discussed why he’s no longer driven to act during an interview on the SmartLess podcast. After spending years as a hugely famous child actor, he felt creatively and financially fulfilled and decided he didn’t need to continue. As the star of Home Alone, he explained that he’d simply reached a point where he was finished with acting.

I was completely finished – I’d had enough. I felt like I’d achieved everything I set out to do and wasn’t interested in chasing more. I’d established my reputation and earned a good living. Now, I only do things because I enjoy them. Ultimately, the only reasons to take on a job are the money, the enjoyment, or the status it brings.

The former child star was honest about not planning to retire, but explained he’s naturally moved towards a quieter life. He only takes on acting roles if they really interest him. He went on to say:

I’m technically retired, but I like to stay active. I’ll take on projects I enjoy, then retire again right after. I consider every job my last, even if I end up doing another one!

One reason Culkin could step away from acting was financial security. Unlike some other former child stars, like Jason Bateman, who had a similar career path, Culkin earned most of his money early in his career. This gave him the unusual freedom to stop working without financial worries, allowing him to move on without regret.

Bateman explained he faced constant pressure to balance school, work, and finances to keep his acting career going. Unlike his Getting Even with Dad co-star, Culkin didn’t have those same worries, and he emphasized how different their experiences were.

I had a lot of free time and could have easily spent the day relaxing and playing video games. I was in a situation where I had complete freedom to do whatever I pleased.

As a movie fan, it makes total sense why Macaulay Culkin‘s been choosing his projects carefully lately. It’s cool to see him building a new part of his career on his own terms. He’s been doing some interesting stuff, like voice work in Zootopia 2 and a really intriguing role in Season 2 of Fallout, which you can watch if you have a Prime Video subscription.

I admire how Macaulay Culkin approaches retirement. He doesn’t feel pressured to make a comeback, maintain a public profile, or constantly work. He takes on projects when he feels like it, and then steps away, approaching each one as if it’s his last.

You can now see Macaulay Culkin in either Zootopia 2, which is still showing in cinemas, or in Season 2 of Fallout. The new season unexpectedly premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 16, 2025, and new episodes are released every Wednesday, leading up to the final episode on February 4, 2026.

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2025-12-30 20:08