John Candy’s children, Jennifer and Christopher, had “no idea” their father protected Macaulay Culkin from his “monster” father while filming their 1989 comedy Uncle Buck.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Jennifer, 45, and Christopher, 41, revealed that they learned about Culkin’s troubled childhood — and his bond with their dad — while putting together their new documentary, John Candy: I Like Me. The Colin Hanks-directed film — released on Prime Video on Friday, October 10, and produced by Jennifer, Chris and Ryan Reynolds — pays tribute to the life and legacy of Candy through interviews with his friends, family and former costars. (The comedian died in 1994 at the age of 43 after suffering a heart attack.)
“We didn’t know what was going on with Macaulay in his life growing up,” Jennifer told Us while discussing the film. “So it was heartwarming and very meaningful and touching to hear those stories. I’m glad that our dad meant that much to him.
Culkin and Candy worked together on the John Hughes comedy, which followed Candy’s titular character as he took over babysitting duty for his brother’s younger children, played by Culkin and Gaby Hoffmann. In the documentary, Culkin explained how Candy watched out for him and would often “side-eye” his father, Kit, as it was “clear” he wasn’t a “good guy.”
Macaulay Culkin: John Candy Looked Out for Me Around ‘Monster’ Dad
“It was really nice to hear [what Macaulay said], and it just goes to show that our dad’s character, he was paternal, and he did that with every person that was on the set,” Jennifer continued. “And it wasn’t just Macaulay. It was Gaby, it was all of his nieces and nephews and sons and daughters that were in his life. … They will all tell the same story that he genuinely cared for them and looked at them as an equal and didn’t talk down to them but talked with them.”
Culkin echoed Jennifer’s thoughts in the doc, saying that Candy had a very “paternal” way about him and a “really great instinct.” He noted that the comedian never “talked down” to kids on or off set and paid attention to their well-being.
“Even before the wave crested and the Home Alone stuff was happening, it was no secret how difficult my father was,” Culkin said. “He was already a monster. And then all of a sudden the fame and money came and he became an infamous monster, but he was already not a good guy. And so I think John was looking a little side-eyed, like, ‘Is everything alright over there? You doing good? Everything’s good at home?’ And that’s a testament to the kind of man he was.”
Culkin added that it was “very easy to draw parallels” between Candy in the real world and his onscreen character, as both Candy and Uncle Buck formed a special bond with kids that allowed them to feel “seen.”
“I think that’s why it’s one of my favorite performances,” Culkin said, “because I think he put a lot of himself in it.”
Candy confirmed himself that he used a lot of his own experiences as a father when bringing Uncle Buck to life during an old interview featured in the documentary, saying, “I never talk down to them at all. And in the movie, Uncle Buck doesn’t talk down to these kids. That’s why they like him, he gives them that respect and self-esteem.” (Candy shared Jennifer and Christopher with wife Rose.)
Culkin, meanwhile, explained that a lot of actors “don’t know how or don’t like to work with kids,” but Candy “was always really, really kind” and “good” with both him and Hoffmann.
“He showed us respect,” he continued. “When you’re 8 years old, you don’t really get respect. Whether it’s a workplace or from adults and grown-ups in general. [With John] you felt invited in.”
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Candy’s affection for Culkin extended beyond their onscreen dynamic. The child actor had an infamously troubled relationship with his father, even suing Kit and his mother, Patricia Brentrup, at age 15 to remove them as his legal guardians. While on the set of Uncle Buck, however, Culkin said Candy was always looking out for him — which wasn’t something that happened often.
“It actually happened even less as time went on too. Because, of course [Macaulay] is doing good, he’s a movie star, he’s making money!” Culkin recalled. “But [John would ask], ‘How are you doing?’ That’s the thing that is a wonderful dagger. I wish I got more of that in my life. That’s why it’s important I remember that. I remember John caring. And not a lot of people did.”
John Candy: I Like Me is streaming on Prime Video now.
