- Culkin stands a real chance at winning an Oscar for A Real Pain
- He is the brother of Macaulay
- The actor rose to a greater profile after appearing in Succession
Kieran Culkin might just have it in the bag ahead of the Oscars this weekend.
Following his career-making role in Succession, he’s been widely acclaimed for his performance in the comedy-drama film A Real Pain. He plays Benjamin “Benji” Kaplan, who reunites with his cousin (Jesse Eisenberg) for a Jewish heritage tour through Poland to honor their late grandmother.
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Culkin stands a very good chance of taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actot. The film only landed two nominations, but it means Culkin also stands a chance of breaking an interesting record. If he wins, he could become the first person in 15 years to take the trophy home who didn’t star in a Best Picture-nominated film.
While, of course, he is known as the brother of Macaulay, Culkin’s done plenty more to be recognisable in his own right.
What has Kieran Culkin done in his career?
Like his brother, Culkin began acting when he was a child. He appeared in the Home Alone films that catapulted Macaulay to fame, but in smaller roles.
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He regularly appeared in independent and major studio films as a teenager, but took a break from film and TV at the turn of the millennium while he attempted to work out whether he really wanted to make acting his career as an adult. Culkin did take on some theatre projects during this time, however.
Culkin notably appeared in 2010’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as the titular character’s “cool gay roommate” Wallace Wells. After a couple of roles in critically panned films, he guest starred in the second season of Fargo.
It was with Succession that Culkin really made a name for himself in the role of Roman Roy. As well as earning him plenty of praise, he picked up numerous award nominations.
Has Kieran Culkin been successful in award season so far?
The Succession star picked up the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role this past weekend. He has also won a Golden Globe and BAFTA for his performance in A Real Pain.
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Holding his latest gong, Culkin joked, “Thank you for this incredibly heavy award. I don’t think there’s any way anyone can hold this for 45 seconds…..which is the allotted time, Adrien Brody!”
As for the Oscars, his rivals are Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Tura Borisov (Anora) and his Succession co-star and on-screen brother Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice).
