Macaulay Culkin Reveals How John Candy Exposed His Father's Dark Side

Macaulay Culkin is peeling back the curtain on his childhood in Hollywood, and this time, the story includes his beloved “Uncle Buck” co-star, John Candy.

Speaking in Colin Hanks’ new documentary “John Candy: I Like Me,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 4, Macaulay recalled how Candy noticed the warning signs around his troubled home life.

He shared that the comedy legend offered him kindness, protection, and fatherly concern when he needed it most.

In the documentary, Macaulay revealed Candy had an instinctive way of looking out for him on set, unlike most adults in Hollywood.

“I think he always had that really great instinct,” Culkin shared per PEOPLE.

Candy would regularly check in with him, asking simple but meaningful questions like, “Everything alright at home? You doing good?”

The “Home Alone” star admitted that those moments stuck with him because they were rare.

“It doesn’t happen that often. I wish I got more of that in my life. I remember John caring when not a lot of people did,” he explained.

Macaulay even described the deceased actor as “paternal,” adding that he brought warmth and patience when many actors didn’t want to deal with kids.

Macaulay Culkin didn’t hold back when speaking about his father, Kit Culkin.

He revealed that Candy noticed the tension surrounding his home life long before fame made things worse.

“Even before the wave crested and the Home Alone stuff was happening, it was not hard to see how difficult my father was. It was no secret. He was already a monster,” he recalled.

According to him, the fame and fortune only magnified his father’s behavior, turning him into what he called an “infamous monster.”

Candy, however, wasn’t blind to it. Macaulay noted that the “Spaceballs” star would glance at him with concern, clearly picking up on the problems without saying too much.

For a young Macaulay, that subtle acknowledgment meant everything.

Both Macaulay and his brother, Kieran Culkin, have since spoken openly about their father’s controlling and toxic behavior.

But in the musician’s memory, Candy stood out as one of the rare adults who not only noticed but also cared enough to check in.

Despite the turmoil behind the scenes, Macaulay remembers “UncleBuck” as one of his favorite projects, largely because of Candy’s presence.

He said the 43-year-old put “a lot of himself” into the role and created a safe, fun environment for him and his co-star Gaby Hoffman.

The “Richie Rich” star explained that many actors dislike working with kids because they can be “tricky,” but Candy was different.

“John was always really kind and really good with us,” he said, adding that the warmth Candy showed was rare in the industry.

The comedian tragically passed away in 1994 at just 43 years old, but Macaulay insists his legacy goes far beyond his comedic genius.

For him, Candy will always be remembered as the man who not only made audiences laugh but also stepped in with kindness when a child star desperately needed it.

Macaulay Culkin hopes to be a better father than his dad ever was.

In March, the actor revealed that his difficult relationship with his estranged father completely shaped the way he parents his own children.

As The Blast reported, Macaulay admitted he hadn’t spoken to his dad in nearly 30 years, describing him as “narcissistic” and “abusive.”

However, rather than repeat that cycle, Macaulay said he made a promise to himself as a kid. “When I grow up, this is how I’m not gonna be with my kids,” he shared.

Now a proud dad to Dakota and Carson with fiancée Brenda Song, he said every decision he has made as a father came from wanting to do the opposite of what he experienced growing up.

He also revealed that none of Kit’s children or grandchildren wanted contact with him, making clear just how deep the family rift runs.

While Macaulay remains estranged from his father, the actor’s relationship with his mother, Patricia Brentrup, isn’t quite solid either.

In April, The Blast reported that the 70-year-old lives in poverty alongside her husband, Mart Cox, on the outskirts of Billings, Montana.

At the time, the outlet shared that Brentrup was facing health struggles, and while Macaulay had been sending $1,000 a month, insiders said her finances remained dire and she and Cox were in urgent need of caregiving support.

Despite the massive success and wealth of her sons, she was reportedly surviving in a modest, tech-free home with horses and dogs, far removed from Hollywood’s glamor and the fame her children enjoy.