Macaulay Culkin says he has 'unfinished business' with late “Home Alone” costar Catherine O'Hara

May 12, 2026 - 20:59

Macaulay Culkin recently revealed that he feels a lingering sense of "unfinished business" with his "Home Alone" co-star Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in 2022. In a candid interview, the actor explained that the feeling stems from a moment early in his career when O'Hara went out of her way to help him on set.

"I feel like I owed her a favor - and I don't like having an outstanding debt," Culkin said. He recalled that during the filming of the 1990 holiday classic, O'Hara, who played his mother Kate McCallister, took him under her wing. She would often rehearse lines with him and offer guidance, even when she wasn't required to be on set. Culkin, who was just 10 years old at the time, said he never properly thanked her for that kindness.

The actor noted that he had hoped to repay that debt by working with O'Hara again on a future project, but the opportunity never came. "I kept thinking, 'We'll do something else together. I'll make it up to her,'" he said. "And then time just ran out."

Culkin described O'Hara as a "genuine soul" and a "true professional" who made a lasting impact on him. He added that while he is grateful for their time together, the unresolved feeling of not being able to return the favor still weighs on him. "It's a small thing, but it sticks with you," he said. "She was one of the good ones."