AceShowbiz – Macaulay Culkin recently reminded fans of his distinctive legal name at A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin, an event marking the 35th anniversary of Home Alone. The beloved actor, famous for his role as the mischievous Kevin McCallister, addressed lingering questions about his identity at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on November 22nd, confirming a long-rumored change that continues to amuse fans.
During the event, Macaulay Culkin confirmed to the audience that his full legal name is now Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin. He clarified that this memorable moniker resulted from a fan poll conducted on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon back in November 2018. The segment invited viewers to help the star choose a new middle name, leading to an array of humorous suggestions designed to spark conversation and laughter.
Among the playful options presented to fans were “The McRib is Back” and a more personal nod to his brother, Kieran Culkin. Macaulay Culkin expressed his affection, stating, “Macaulay Kieran Culkin. That would be great. I love my brother.” He then lightheartedly referenced Kieran’s recent Oscar win for A Real Pain, quipping, “Between me and him we have exactly one Oscar.” Macaulay shares sons Dakota, 4, and Carson, 2, with partner Brenda Song.
Ultimately, the fans chose a truly unique option: Macaulay Culkin himself. The final vote solidified his middle name as his own full name, a decision Macaulay Culkin fully embraced. He recounted, “The final vote was Macaulay Culkin. So my name is Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin.” He explained the clever payoff, “If somebody comes up to me at the airport and says, ‘Excuse me, are you Macaulay Culkin?’ I can say, ‘Well, Macaulay Culkin is my middle name.'” This witty response highlights the actor’s dedication to the long-running gag.
While the name change might seem unusual, the Changeland actor admitted his primary motivation was pure humor. “I did it all for that one joke,” he confessed, acknowledging its origin as “a bit on Fallon.” This commitment to a long-running gag underscores Macaulay Culkin’s playful personality and willingness to entertain his audience both on and off screen, turning a simple legal formality into a memorable piece of performance art.
Macaulay Culkin isn’t the only celebrity with a surprising legal name. Many stars adopt stage identities or make official changes. Take Post Malone, for example, whose birth name is Austin Richard Post. While he’s known globally by his stage name, close friends, like Taylor Swift at the 2024 MTV VMAs, affectionately refer to him as Austin. Another instance is actress Aubrey Frances Anderson-Emmons, recognizable from Modern Family. She transitioned to Frances Anderson professionally for her music career, explaining that Frances is her middle name, honoring a family friend, and offered a shorter alternative to her hyphenated surname. These examples illustrate how personal identity and public persona can diverge in the world of entertainment.