Macaulay Culkin, another child star in trouble

Yesterday's SMH had a short article about Macaulay Culkin's struggles to get work as an actor. He doesn't know where he fits any more. He's been in trouble with the police because of drugs. There have probably been other troubles of which I know nothing. What I do know is that my heart aches for him and others like him who've been thrust into the limelight at an age when they are too young to deal with all the fame and attention.

How many child stars actually grow up to be healthy well-adjusted adults? Does the movie industry help these youngsters to deal with the consequences of fame and attention? Or are they simply used and discarded when they no longer "behave themselves" or when they no longer have that cute charm that made them so lovable on film?

I thoroughly enjoyed the "Home Alone" movies, especially the one in which Macaulay Culkin starred. I laughed and laughed and laughed. I still enjoy watching the reruns. For some reason I dislike intensely the ones that have been produced since with another child star. They don't feel so spontaneously funny feeling about them.

Culkin struggles to get work
March 7, 2006 - 12:20PM

Former US child star Macaulay Culkin says he has trouble getting work and barely speaks to his friend Michael Jackson.

Culkin told Time magazine he has only spoken to Jackson once since the singer moved to Dubai after being cleared of child sex abuse charges.

"He's doing O.K. I mean, yeah, he's a friend, but the kind of friend you talk to twice a year," he said.

Culkin's semi-autobiographical, stream-of-consciousness novel, Junior, is due to be published this month.

The actor has acknowledged that readers of the book, which reportedly contains many lists, including of people he hates, may think he is insane.

"I've led a very isolated existence since I was 6 years old. It's kind of been me and my mind.

"I hope people don't think I'm crazy because I'm not. I might be feeding into it."

The 25-year-old said he did not know where he fitted in in Hollywood any more and was the most out-of-work actor he knew.

The Home Alone star said he even considered taking up sports management as a career.

"As a 4-year-old, I didn't say I wanted to be an actor. Acting found me," he told Time.

"I thought maybe I should try to find it again. We'll see."

Culkin said he was yet to become engaged to the star of That 70s Show, Mila Kunis, who he has been dating for four years.

"I enjoy cooking for her. I do a really good shrimp scampi. I lead a simple life. I feed the fish. I walk the dogs. I cook dinner. Occasionally I take a meeting."

smh.com.au