Without a doubt, Macaulay Culkin's career is unlike any other. We can't even imagine what he went through during his youth, his career basically went in reverse, priming during his youth stage.
By the age of four, he was already on stage performing theater work. By 1990, as a ten-year-old, he landed a role that changed his career in 'Home Alone'. He was making money as a 12 year old most of us can only dream of, earning $4.5 million for the 'Home Alone' sequel in 1992.
In 1994, he left the crazy lifestyle, opting for a normal life and heading back to school. In the eyes of many, his career was never the same when he left.
However, that doesn't mean there weren't multiple offers along the way, some more noteworthy than others. According to his podcast interview alongside Joe Rogan, a certain offer to appear on an iconic CBS show took place in the 2000s.
He wasn't offered the role once, not even twice, but three times! Looking back, Culkin might regret turning his back on the chance, given how successful the show would become.
We'll take a look at the details as to why Culkin said no and what could've been had he accepted. In addition, we examine his life nowadays.
The Cast Made Huge Bucks
The show in question is none other than 'The Big Bang Theory'. In terms of salary, it is clear, Culkin missed out. From the first episode, the main characters pocketed $60,000, though that number would increase dramatically along the way to six digits and later, in the millions.
During season eight and nine, Jim Parsons was leading the way at a cool $1.2 million per episode, while the likes of Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco would also get boosted to a seven-digit salary. No doubt, given Culkin's star power, his longevity on the show would have resulted in a similar salary.
Culkin is very aware that he missed out financially, “I’d have hundreds of millions of dollars right now if I did that gig,” Culkin said. “But at the same time, I’d be bashing my head against the wall.”
Although the money was great, it was the story that Culkin wasn't invested in at the start.
Culkin Wasn't Into The Script
At this point, the show was far from turning into the iconic program we know it for today. In truth, Culkin wasn't impressed with the story and the pitch. It didn't come across as a noteworthy project at the time.
"I said no. It was kind of like, the way the pitch was, ‘Alright, these two astrophysicist nerds and a pretty girl lives with them. Yoinks!’ That was the pitch. They were like, ‘We’ll get some real physicists to do the math,’ but I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m cool, thanks."
The offers didn't stop there and according to the child star, the network was very persistent with their offers, "then they came back at me again, and I said, ‘No, no, no. Again, flattered, but no.’ Then they came back at me again, and even my manager was like twisting my arm.”
It is interesting to think what could've been and which role Chuck Lorre had in mind - perhaps Culkin as Leonard could've been an interesting concept. In truth, we really can't picture anyone else in the role of Sheldon, aside from Jim Parsons.
Despite the rejection, Culkin is doing just fine these days. He's taking a different road while entering a new chapter in his life most recently.
Fatherhood & Podcast World
He took a different road and one that a lot of celebs take, entering the world of podcasting, with his 'Bunny Years' show. Now the program has decreased in 2021, though at the start, he had some great guests, including the likes of Tony Hawk and Bob Saget.
As for his personal life, that seems to be going just fine. Culkin entered the world of fatherhood in mid-April, welcoming daughter Dakota Song Culkin to the world.
It is hard to believe, but the actor is 40 nowadays. Most of his credits in recent years came as Mickey on 'American Horror Story'. No word yet on a possible film or TV role, who knows if he'll think twice this time around on a sitcom following the success of 'Big Bang'.
What we do know for sure, is that he earned the right to be selective with what he wants to do and what he doesn't.