Macaulay Culkin says John Candy noticed his dad’s ‘monster’ behavior

Macaulay Culkin is reflecting on his bond with the late John Candy.

The actor, who died at age 43 in 1994 of a heart attack, and “Home Alone” vet, 45, starred in “Uncle Buck” together in 1989.

Culkin spoke about his time filming the John Hughes comedy in Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds’ new documentary, “John Candy: I Like Me.”

The world-premiere screening kicked off Thursday during opening night of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

In the doc, Steve Martin, who starred with Candy in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” in 1987, shared that the comedian’s abilities were so impressive that it inspired Hughes to write “Uncle Buck” for Candy.

Culkin first reflected on being several years older than Candy was when they worked together on the comedy.

He also touched on playing Candy’s nephew in the film.

“I think that’s why that’s one of my favorite performances, because I think he put a lot of himself into it,” Culkin explained in the doc. He added that a lot of actors “don’t know how or don’t like to work with kids” because they’re “tricky to work with,” but that “John was always really kind, and really good with” him and his on-screen sibling, actress Gaby Hoffmann.

“He showed a lot of respect. When you’re eight years old, you don’t really get respect, whether it’s in a workplace or just from adults and grown-ups in general. You felt invited in,” Culkin expressed.

Elsewhere in the film, Culkin shared he felt “paternal” vibes from Candy, especially when it came to dealing with his now estranged father, Christopher “Kit” Culkin, during the early days in Hollywood.

“I think he always had that really great instinct. I think he saw. Listen, 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,” the former child star recalled. “All of a sudden, the fame and the money came, and he became an infamous monster. He was already not a good guy. I think John was looking a little side-eyed, like, ‘Is everything alright over there? You doing good? Good day? Everything’s alright? Everything good at home? Alright.’”

Culkin said that attitude was “a testament to the kind of man he was,” and that he “was just looking out for” him on set.

“It doesn’t happen that often. It actually happened less as time went on,” Culkin mused. “I wish I got more of that in my life. It’s important that I remember that. I remember John caring when not a lot of people did.”

Candy rose to fame in the ’80s after starring in a slew of comedy roles, including “Stripes” in 1981, “Splash” (1984), “Brewster’s Millions” (1985), “Armed and Dangerous” (1986) and “Spaceballs” (1987).

His former co-stars Tom Hanks and Catherine O’Hara are also featured in the doc, along with Candy’s children, son Chris and daughter Jennifer. Chris, 40, and Jennifer, 45, also serve as co-executive producers.

At the premiere, Reynolds, 48, posed with Candy’s children and his widow Rosemary, 76.

Culkin, meanwhile, hasn’t shied away from detailing his past traumas from his father over the years.

“One of my earliest memories of him [is thinking], ‘When I grow up, this is how I’m not gonna be with my kids,’” he said while on Kate and Oliver Hudson’s “Sibling Revelry” podcast in March. “Now that I have kids of my own, it’s like … it kicks up some dust.”

Culkin shares sons Dakota, 4, and Carson, 2, with fiancée Brenda Song.

“I kinda go, I can’t believe he was like that. He had all these lovely kids. It’s crazy,” the “My Girl” alum said.

Culkin also confirmed that he hasn’t spoken to his father in nearly 30 years.

“Oh, he deserves it too. He’s a man who, he had seven kids, and now he has four grandkids,” the actor stated. “And none of them want anything to do with him.”

Kit, a former Broadway theater actor, has six other children with his ex-wife Patricia Brentrup: Shane, 49, Dakota (who died in 2008 at age 29 after being hit by a car), Kieran, 42, Quinn, 40, Christian, 38, and Rory, 36. 

Kit’s eldest daughter, Jennifer Adamson, whom he shared with ex Adeena VanWagoner, died in 2000 at age 29 from a drug overdose.

Culkin called Kit “narcissistic” and “abusive,” sharing how he “wanted nothing to do with my f–king father” during his parents’ custody battle in the ’90s.

“He was just the worst,” Culkin said.