Kieran Culkin has spoken about how he used to feel sorry for his older brother Macaulay after he became famous at such a young age.

Both Culkin brothers have since gone on to be successful in the world of film and TV, with Kieran currently starring as Roman Roy in HBO’s smash hit Succession.

The actor starred in a number of titles when he was a child. Credit: @feminfitz/TikTok/Entertainment Weekly

However, it was the eldest Culkin that ended up breaking into Hollywood early, catching his big break at the age of 10 in Home Alone.

He then went on to star in several of those flicks, as well as films like My Girl, The Good Son, Getting Even with Dad, and – of course – Richie Rich.

Culkin was just 10 when he starred in Home Alone. Credit: 20th Century Studios

That fame obviously took a toll on him, bringing with it a greater scrutiny than a child should have, as well as a famous friendship with Michael Jackson.

Macaulay has admitted that he’s struggled with substance misuse issues over the years, and has also made accusations that his father was abusive to him during his formative years.

It seems as if Macaulay’s stardom had an effect on everyone, too.

Kieran spoke with Esquire about how he felt for his brother.

“Poor f***ing guy,” he said.

“He was little and having to try to accept that level of fame as a reality.”

Kieran now stars as Roman Roy in Succession. Credit: HBO

“Even at that time, as a kid, I remember thinking, ‘That sucks for him,’” Kieran added.

Kieran himself also appeared in Home Alone, playing Macaulay’s cousin in a small role, but his celebrity status was nothing like his brother’s was at first.

That didn’t keep the paparazzi away, even during their parents’ break-up, Kieran wrote a plea to the court to keep the media from covering the custody fight, which was denied.

To this day, he refuses to speak with Access Hollywood and the New York Post because of their coverage of his family.

Macaulay himself has also spoken out about those times, recalling how he enjoyed his acting career because he ‘was good at it and [he] knew it’.

Kieran Culkin also had a small role in Home Alone. Credit: 20th Century Studios

He said: “Look, I mean, it sucks,

“But, it coulda been worse, you know?

“I wasn’t working in a coal mine. I wasn’t a child soldier.

“My father was not sexually abusing me. Certain f***ed-up things happened, but f***ed-up things happen to kids all the time and they don’t come out the other end.

“I’ve got something to show for it, man.”

Now, both seem to be happy and content with their careers, and Kieran’s show Succession is a hit with both viewers and critics.

The fourth and final season of Succession came out this week, as it happens.