Chris Columbus Finally Reveals What the McCallisters Did for a Living: ‘Home Alone’ Fans Were Correct

The Home Alone franchise is arguably one of the most beloved of the Christmas season. Many people believe the movies are classics that must be watched at least once during the holiday season. Despite dozens of rewatches, viewers still argue over where Peter and Kate McCallister worked. The couple’s ability to afford a lavish lifestyle for their large family, despite never mentioning their jobs, has fueled the Home Alone mystery. Now, Chris Columbus, the director of Home Alone, is stepping forward to set the record straight.

Chris Columbus said Peter and Kate McCallister’s carers were established while filming ‘Home Alone’

It isn’t Christmas without Home Alone. That’s especially true for director Chris Columbus, who often credits the film for resurrecting his career. Columbus recently sat down with the Hollywood Reporter to talk about his illustrious directing career. During the interview, Home Alone naturally came up. Columbus revealed that while Peter and Kate McCallister never discussed their careers in Home Alone, John Hughes did have careers picked out for the couple. Hughes and Columbus even hid hints about Kate McCallister’s career in the house.

Columbus confirmed what fans have long suspected. Kate McCallister had a successful career in fashion. Her career path likely meant she brought in a good portion of the family’s income. Columbus confirmed that the mannequins, dress forms, and fabric seen during Home Alone did hint at her job as a fashion designer.

What did Peter McCallister do for a living, though?

Peter McCallister’s career path was always more challenging to pin down. Over the years, fans of the flicks have offered up plenty of theories about what the McCallister family patriarch did for work. Some fans assumed he was in finance, while others theorized he was a regional manager of a larger chain. One fan assumed McCallister and Clark Griswold were workmates due to the films’ geographical similarities, timelines, and connection to John Hughes. One far-fetched theory even suggested a darker theme for the Home Alone franchise. Some fans have implied Peter McCallister was involved in organized crime.

Chris Columbus insists that Mr. McCallister was not involved in organized crime. Columbus says that while John Hughes had picked out a career for Peter McCallister, his choice was lost to time. Columbus doesn’t remember exactly what Hughes picked. John Hughes died in 2009 after suffering a heart attack while taking a walk in Manhattan. Still, Columbus says he has a feeling Hughes may have always intended for Peter McCallister to have had a career in advertising.