Home Alone - Where are they now?
The much-loved Christmas family film Home Alone (1990) hit theaters in 1990. It's 25th Anniversary is celebrated during Winter 2015.
The entries below show what the stars and director of the movie got up to since its release. Whose do you find the most interesting?
Discuss the list here
The entries below show what the stars and director of the movie got up to since its release. Whose do you find the most interesting?
Discuss the list here
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John Heard was a very talented actor who established himself as a respected thespian in the late 1970s and early '80s, though he is perhaps better known for his turn as Peter McCallister, Kevin McCallister's (Macaulay Culkin) father in the Home Alone (1990) movies.
John was born in Washington, D.C., to Helen (Sperling), who acted in community theatre, and John Heard, who worked for the U.S. government. John established himself with roles in the movies Between the Lines (1977), Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979) (a.k.a. "Head Over Heels"), and Heart Beat (1981) (in which he played Jack Kerouac to Nick Nolte's Neal Cassady and Sissy Spacek's Carolyn Cassady), before giving a tour de force performance as a hideously wounded (both physically and psychologically) Vietnam veteran in Cutter's Way (1981) (a.k.a. "Cutter and Bone") opposite Jeff Bridges. He also shined as Reverend Dimmesdale (one of America's first religious hypocrites) in the 1979 PBS version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1979).
Both "Chilly Scenes of Winter" and "Cutter's Way" (originally released as "Head Over Heels" and "Cutter and Bone", respectively) had been re-released under new titles after failing in their first go-rounds, such was the quality of the films. The two re-releases helped redefine the practice by which major studios handled smaller, art house quality pictures by releasing them carefully to select theaters with bespoke marketing campaigns so they reached the proper audience. (Studios would later develop their own art film-independent film subsidiaries to handle such pictures, so they didn't "fall through the cracks" like the first releases of the two Heard films.)
By the early 1980s, Heard seemed on his way to establishing himself as a major American actor, if not on the path to movie stardom. At the time, there was a joke that involved confusing Heard with John Hurt and William Hurt because of the similarity of their last names. At the time these contemporaries were considered equal in terms of their star power.
In the early '80s, it would not have been unreasonable to predict that Heard would become an Oscar winner or a multiple nominee. He continued to work on A-List projects, playing the not-so-sympathetic son to Geraldine Page in The Trip to Bountiful (1985) (for which Page won her own Oscar) and Tom Hanks's adult rival in Big (1988), but by the latter part of the decade he had failed to establish himself as a leading man and was playing supporting roles. Also appearing on television, he was nominated for an Emmy for his turn as a corrupt police detective on The Sopranos (1999).
John Heard died on July 21, 2017, in Palo Alto, California.Peter McCalister:
Though he will likely still be most known for his role in Home Alone and its first sequel, Heard has been working regularly in various roles over the past 25 years.
He has at least one movie a year since 1987, though nothing as popular as Home Alone. He has also had recurring roles in shows such as NCIS and Entourage- Actor
- Soundtrack
Compact Italian-American actor Joe Pesci was born February 9, 1943 in Newark, New Jersey, to Mary (Mesce), a part-time barber, and Angelo Pesci, a bartender and forklift driver. Pesci first broke into entertainment as a child actor, and by the mid-1950s, was starring on the series "Star Time Kids". In the mid-1960s, he released a record under the stage name Joe Ritchie titled "Little Joe Sure Can Sing", and was also playing guitar with several bands, including Joey Dee and The Starliters. He even joined with his friend Frank Vincent to start a vaudeville-style comedy act, but met with limited success (interestingly, Pesci and Vincent would later go on to co-star in several gangster films together, including Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995).
Pesci's first film role was as an uncredited dancer in Hey, Let's Twist! (1961) and then he had to wait another 15 years for a minor role in The Death Collector (1976). His work in the second film was seen by Robert De Niro, who convinced director Martin Scorsese to cast him as Joey LaMotta in the epic boxing film Raging Bull (1980), which really got him noticed in Hollywood. He played opposite Rodney Dangerfield in Easy Money (1983), was with buddy DeNiro again in Once Upon a Time in America (1984), nearly stole the show as con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and scored a Best Supporting Actor Oscar playing the psychotic Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas (1990).
His comedic talents shone again in the mega-popular Home Alone (1990), and he put in a terrific performance as co-conspirator David Ferrie in JFK (1991). Pesci was back again as Leo Getz for Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), and was still a bumbling crook in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), and had a minor role in the Robert De Niro-directed A Bronx Tale (1993). He was lured back by Scorsese to play another deranged gangster named Nicky (based on real-life hood Tony Spilotro [aka "The Ant"]) in the violent Casino (1995), and starred in the comedies 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997) and Gone Fishin' (1997), although both failed to fire at the box office.
Pesci returned again as fast-talking con man Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998). In 1999, he announced his retirement from acting and since then, he appeared only occasionally in films, including a cameo appearance in The Good Shepherd (2006). He also appeared in the music documentary I Go Back Home: Jimmy Scott (2016).Harry:
Already an Oscar winner known for the likes of Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Lethal Weapon, Joe Pesci had already been established as an actor who could be funny and yet also frightening at the same time, which made him a perfect pick for the fuming crook Harry.
He went on to have a successful decade, starring in films like Casino and My Cousin Vinny. Though he retired from acting before the turn of the century, Pesci has a further three acting credits to his name.
He was to play a role in the in-development John Gotti project, but filed a lawsuit against the film makers after putting on weight for a part and then being offered a different role. It is unknown whether Pesci is still attached to the project. He is confirmed, however, to reunite with frequent collaborators Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro for the upcoming The Irishman, playing mob boss Russell Bufalino.- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Canadian actress, writer, and comedian, Catherine O'Hara gained recognition as one of the original cast members on the Canadian television sketch comedy show SCTV (1976). On the series, she impersonated the likes of Lucille Ball, Tammy Faye Bakker, Gilda Radner, Katharine Hepburn, and Brooke Shields. O'Hara stayed with the show for its entirety (1976-1984). She went on to devote her talents to several films directed by Tim Burton, including Beetlejuice (1988), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and later, Frankenweenie (2012). O'Hara also frequently collaborated with director and writer, Christopher Guest, appearing in his mockumentary films, three of which earned her awards and nominations; Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). Recently, O'Hara can be seen on the Canadian television comedy series Schitt's Creek (2015). Her work in the series earned two Canadian Screen Awards for Best Lead Actress (2016 and 2017).Kate McCalister:
O'Hara was already a well established actress before Home Alone. Since then, she has remained very busy with a number of roles in films such as Lemony Snicket's A Series if Unfortunate Events.
She has also many voice acting credits and plays a failed soap star on the TV series Schitt's Creek.- Kieran Kyle Culkin was born September 30, 1982 in New York City, New York. He is the son of Kit Culkin, a former stage and child actor, and Patricia Brentrup. He is the brother of Shane Culkin, Dakota Culkin, Macaulay Culkin, Quinn Culkin, Christian Culkin, and Rory Culkin. His mother, who is from North Dakota, is of German and Norwegian descent. His father, from Manhattan, has Irish, German, English, Swiss-German, and French ancestry.
Culkin started working in 1990. He worked with his brother, Mac several times. His debut was playing Mac's cousin, Fuller, in Home Alone (1990). He went on to do lots of films on his own. He starred in Father of the Bride (1991) playing Steve Martin's young son. Then a few years later they offered him a special role in The Mighty (1998). After his wonderful performance, he went on to bigger movies like The Cider House Rules (1999) and Music of the Heart (1999).Fuller McCalister:
Culkin made his acting debut in Home Alone. Since then he as worked steadily with around a role a year in lesser known films. His most noteworthy credit since was as Pilgrim's roommate Wallace Wells in Scott Pilgrim vs The World.
Aside from a 2 episode stint in Fargo, he as had few notable roles since. - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Daniel Stern was born in Bethesda, Maryland, to a social worker father and a day care manager mother. He has been acting professionally since the age of seventeen. Following his high school graduation, he auditioned for the Washington Shakespeare Festival seeking a job as a lighting engineer but ended up as "a strolling player with a lute" in their production of "As You Like It." Shortly thereafter, he made his way to New York where he "took a couple of acting lessons" and began to assemble an impressive portfolio of such off-Broadway credits as "Split," "Frankie and Annie," "The Mandrake," and "The Old Glory." In addition, director Peter Yates cast him as one of the four Indiana teenagers in the highly acclaimed film Breaking Away (1979). Variety in acting roles appeals to Stern. Following "Breaking Away," he appeared in Woody Allen's Stardust Memories (1980), Claudia Weill's It's My Turn (1980) and John Schlesinger's Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) before returning to New York to appear off-Broadway in the two character play "How I Got That Story," which led to critical acclaim and a starring role in Barry Levinson's Diner (1982). Other film credits include I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982), Blue Thunder (1983), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The Boss' Wife (1986), The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), Born in East L.A. (1987) and D.O.A. (1988) In addition to his voice-over work on the series, Stern directed several episodes of the popular and critically acclaimed television comedy, The Wonder Years (1988).Marv:
Having already achieved success before playing the bumbling crook Marv with roles in Breaking Away and City Slickers, Stern has been working regularly in movies and TV shows of various critical success since. His most noteworthy recent role is as scientist Glen Babbitt in Manhattan.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Macaulay Culkin, one of the most famous American child stars, was born on August 26, 1980 in New York City, New York, USA, as the third of seven children of his father Kit Culkin (a former stage and child actor and also Macaulay's former manager) and mother Patricia Brentrup. He is the brother of Shane Culkin, Dakota Culkin, Kieran Culkin, Quinn Culkin, Christian Culkin, and Rory Culkin, most of whom have also acted. Macaulay's mother, who is from North Dakota, is of German and Norwegian descent. Macaulay's father, from Manhattan, has Irish, German, English, Swiss-German, and French ancestry.
"Mack", as he's known to his close friends and family, first came into showbiz at the age of 4, appearing in a string of Off-Broadway shows such as the New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker and, by 8 years-old, the films Rocket Gibraltar (1988) and See You in the Morning (1989), which included him in the rare company of kids who have received rave reviews from The New Yorker and The New York Times.
By the age of 9, the young actor had nearly upstaged star John Candy in Uncle Buck (1989) (his deadpan interrogation of Candy was Buck's funniest scene). Then, in 1990, writer John Hughes turned his finished Home Alone (1990) script over to director Chris Columbus with a suggestion to consider Culkin for the lead. Though Macaulay was the first kid Columbus saw, he was skeptical about having him in the lead and saw over 200 other possible actors and he admitted that no one came as close to being as good as Culkin. By the callback interview, Mack had memorized two scenes, and Columbus was sure he found his "Kevin McCallister". The movie grossed more than $285 million in the US alone, becoming one of the highest grossing movies of all time and making Macaulay Culkin one of the biggest movie stars of the time.
His next big project was My Girl (1991) in which he played "Thomas J. Sennett", a boy who seems to be allergic to everything. Despite some controversy over the ending, the film was released anyway and proved to be another hit film for Mack (and featured his very first kiss). In 1992 came Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), which grossed more than $172 million in the US alone. In 1993 came The Good Son (1993), which was the first role to depart from his cute kid comedies. He played a murderous little demon named Henry. He got the role when his powerhouse negotiator/manager/father Kit Culkin said that he would pull Mack out of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) unless he was given the psychotic boy lead in The Good Son (1993). He was also given a salary of $5 million for the film.
In 1994, at the age of 14, came a string of duds, The Pagemaster (1994), Getting Even with Dad (1994) and Richie Rich (1994). He was paid $8 million for the last two, the highest salary ever paid for a child star. Many people believed Mack had lost his touch, though, because he was no longer that cute tiny kid they saw in Home Alone (1990). In 1995 his parents, who were never married, separated and started a greedy legal battle over the custody of their kids and Mack's fortune. In 1996, the young actor had reportedly said he wouldn't accept any roles until his parents settled their custody dispute. That case would not be resolved until April 1997 when Kit Culkin relinquished control to Brentrup.
In 1998, Macaulay married actress Rachel Miner, but separated in 2000 because Rachel wanted to start a family and Mack wanted to get back into acting. There has been a gap of eight years since 1994's Richie Rich (1994), and although he made a 'comeback' on stage in 2001, appearing in a London production of "Madame Melville", and also portrayed Michael Alig in Party Monster (2003); with an estimated fortune of $17 million he clearly never has to work again - if the roles don't appeal to him.Kevin McCalister:
It takes a lot for a 10 year old to carry a leading role in a movie like Home Alone - not once but twice - but Culkin managed to do just that. He also starred in a number of films in the 90's such as My Girl and Richie Rich.
However, the children's roles eventually dried up and years later it was discovered that he had a major substance abuse problem in his teens. He has found work in TV shows such as Kings and Robot Chicken but mainly performs with his band, The Pizza Underground.- Gerry Bamman was born on 18 September 1941 in Independence, Kansas, USA. He is an actor, known for Home Alone (1990), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and The Secret of My Success (1987).Frank McCalister:
Bamman is still most known for his role as cranky Uncle Frank in the Home Alone. He occasionaly makes TV show appearances with bit parts but his fame has dwindled since the 90s.
He recently appeared alongside Kevin Bacon in the TV show The Following. - Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Devin Ratray was born on 11 January 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Nebraska (2013), R.I.P.D. (2013) and Masterminds (2015).Buzz McCalister:
Despite landing a role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ratray hasn't had much success in the industry siince.
However, his career has started to pick up recently with roles in films like Nebraska and Blue Ruin.
He is more known for singing and playing the guitar with his band Little Bill and the Beckleys
She has also many voice acting credits and plays a failed soap star on the TV series Schitt's Creek.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Angela Goethals was born on 20 May 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Home Alone (1990), Jerry Maguire (1996) and Spanglish (2004). She has been married to Russell Soder since 24 September 2005. They have two children.Linnie McCalister:
Though she never made it 'big', Goethals has had a respectable amount of roles in TV shows, movies and on the stage. She had a recurring role in 24 and starred as a documentary maker Taylor Gentry in Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.
Recently, she has been focused on raising her family and consulting for a dermatology agency promoting skin care products.- Camera and Electrical Department
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Michael C. Maronna was born in Brooklyn, New York, the oldest of three children, and began acting at the tender age of five. He attended public schools in Brooklyn and Queens while working on commercials, soap operas, and eventually on Broadway. After beginning 7th grade at Hunter College High School in Manhattan, Michael was cast in the Nickelodeon TV show The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1992) in 1989 for what began as a 60-second show between cartoons. He also appeared in Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) as Jeff McCallister, Kevin's mean brother.
"Pete & Pete" began full production as a series in 1993, with Maronna in the title role, which appeared on Nickelodeon for three seasons. After graduating from Manhattan's City-as-School, Michael began working with lights as an electrician on films. His first job in that position was on the film Six Ways to Sunday (1997), which was directed by "Pete & Pete" alumnus Adam Bernstein, for which Maronna also auditioned for the lead role of Harry.
Michael was attended SUNY Purchase in Westchester County and studied documentary filmmaking in the Theater Arts and Film Conservatory from 1997-2001. He also appeared in several popular Ameritrade commercials in 1998 and 1999, which lead to an appearance with President Adam Bernstein in a White House Correspondents' Dinner video in the year 2000.
While attending SUNY Purchase, he played Jeff in Slackers (2002). Michael also did a memorable turn appearing as the Bagel Guy in the 2002 feature film 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002). He also appeared in several independent films, which include What Alice Found (2003), directed by A. Dean Bell, and Le New Yorker (1998), directed by Benoît Graffin. Maronna joined Local 52 IATSE in 2007 as an electrician and has since been working on films and TV in the NYC area, as always. He still lives in Brooklyn.Jeff McCalister:
After Home Alone and The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Maronna chose not to pursue a career in acting.Instead he works behind the scenes in the electrical department on projects such as Nurse Jackie and Men in Black 3.