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Succession star Kieran Culkin has come a long way since starting in the shadow of his brother, Macaulay Culkin, in Home Alone, but who has the higher net worth? Kieran’s first acting role was playing Kevin’s cousin, Fuller Mccallister, in Home Alone. However, Kieran built a name for himself in Hollywood apart from his brother since those early days. On the other hand, Macaulay was considered one of the most powerful actors and the highest paid in the industry at the peak of his fame. He retired at 14, while Kieran continues to grow his net worth today. Which brother in the Culkin family, Kieran Culkin or Macaulay Culkin, has the higher net worth?

Kieran and Macaulay Culkin smiling for photographers at the 2001 'Serendipity' film premiere
Kieran Culkin and Macaulay Culkin | Theo Wargo/WireImage

Kieran Culkin’s net worth is primarily from ‘Succession’

Succession star Kieran Culkin began his childhood acting career with Home Alone, alongside his brother. However, Macaulay began accumulating his net worth with the film, while Kieran only played a minor role. After playing Fuller, Kieran moved on to Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II. He continued acting throughout his childhood and teenage years. The actor’s breakthrough role came in 2002 when he starred in the movie Igby Goes Down. That film earned Kieran his first Golden Globe Award nomination, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and a Satellite Award. 

Although Kieran Culkin continued to take roles in film and television, his net worth began growing more quickly when he took on the part of Roman Roy in Succession in 2018. When executive producer Jesse Armstrong began production of Succession Season 1, each of the main cast members, including Kieran, earned $100,000 per episode. For Succession Season 2, the actors earned the same salary per episode. Since each of the first two seasons had 10 episodes, Kieran made $2 million for acting in the HBO series. 

'Succession' cast member Kieran Culkin sitting down portraying Roman Roy
‘Succession’: Kieran Culkin | Macall B. Polay/HBO

The main Succession cast members received a salary bump for season 3 in the $300,000 range. Kieran’s salary jumped to $350,000 per episode for a total of $3.5 million for the season. His net worth continues to grow, while his brother, Macaulay Culkin, retired at 14.

Macaulay Culkin’s net worth

Kieran’s older brother, Macaulay Culkin, began his acting career at only 4-years-old. He took on minor roles until his breakthrough in 1990 with Home Alone. He only made $100,000 for starring in the now-classic Christmas movie. Next, he starred in the 1991 film My Girl, taking home $1 million for the role. When he reprised his role as Kevin McCallister for Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, he made $4.5 million. Macaulay earned $1.5 million for The Good Son, $8 million for Getting Even With Dad, and another $8 million for Ri¢hie Ri¢h. 

Macaulay Culkin smiling for photographers at the LA premiere of 'Changeland'
Macaulay Culkin | Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
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Macaulay Culkin Admits That Kieran Culkin Is Only His Second-Favorite Brother — Here’s Why

From 1989 to 1994, Macaulay Culkin grew his net worth astronomically — making $23.5 million. In the late 90s and early 2000s, the childhood star took time off from acting, retiring at 14. However, he returned to acting sporadically after high school. In 2021, Culkin was part of the main cast of American Horror Story: Double Feature. 

Who is the richest Culkin brother?

Although Kieran Culkin continues to grow his net worth dramatically with his starring role in Succession, it doesn’t compare to the large sums of money his brother made as a child actor. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kieran Culkin’s net worth is around $5 million, the majority from his work in Succession. However, the same outlet reports that Macaulay Culkin’s net worth is an estimated $18 million. 

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