Macaulay Culkin’s rise to fame came with serious family struggles. Despite his success, his family lived “in cramped quarters,” and his father was reportedly controlling and abusive. A bitter custody battle later intensified the strain, leaving long-lasting emotional scars.

As his fame grew, Culkin began taking control of his life and finances. He legally protected his earnings and stepped away from acting early, overwhelmed by constant media attention. “I just wanted a little bit of a break. I wanted a summer vacation for the first time in, you know, forever,” he told Time.

Reflecting on his intense workload, Culkin explained how quickly it all happened. On Larry King Live, he said, “I did 14 movies in six years… I really wanted to take a break. I always joke, ‘Yeah, I retired at 14.’” Leaving Hollywood was his way of reclaiming childhood moments he never had.

He later experienced a short sense of normal life while attending the Professional Children’s School, though fame still followed him everywhere. Even small choices drew attention. “I did purple and I did pink and I did orange, and they made such a big deal out of it — it was on the cover of People!” he told New York Magazine.

Culkin also faced deep personal loss when his sister Dakota died in a car accident. Remembering their final conversation, he told Esquire, “Tonight was the last time I talked to her… She passed away overnight, kinda thing.”