Macaulay Culkin and Daniel Radcliffe both came from famous child actors all over the planet, but after their early success, their careers took two completely different directions.

Encountering success, money and fame at such a young age seems to be a blessing for anyone. However, these things can on the contrary be a poison for young souls when childhood is filled with too much noise and being the center of all attention. As a result, among many Hollywood child stars, not many can maintain their form and continue to develop their careers.

 Why are some people still famous when they were young, while others still receive only contempt and pity? That’s also because they are superior in terms of bravery.

Macaulay Culkin and Daniel Radcliffe, both of whom came from famous child actors all over the planet, both of their names are associated with global film phenomena at a very young age. But after their early success, the careers of the two child stars took two completely different directions.

Two cinematic phenomena representing America and England

Macaulay Culkin – Glory and tragedy

We are no strangers to the movie “Home Alone” which created a craze and became an indispensable spiritual dish every Christmas. Although the movie was released nearly 3 decades ago, to movie fans, this movie seems ageless thanks to the humorous script and especially the great acting of Macaulay Culkin. 

The role of the cunning boy Kevin McCallister, who was forgotten by his family and had to face two evil thieves alone, brought Macaulay to the top of the most successful child star at the age of 8 and received a Golden Globe nomination. honor. 

With “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, Macaulay became the first child actor in history to receive a salary of more than 1 million USD/episode.

This boy’s natural, humorous acting style along with his signature half-smile has attracted many Hollywood investment projects. Not stopping at Home Alone, Macaulay continued to shine with two movies released in the same year 1991, “My Girl” and “Bob’s Hope Cross-Country Christmas”. 

In 1994, Culkin’s salary for participating in the movie “Richie Rich” reached 4.5 million USD and became a Hollywood phenomenon.

 While other boys and girls of the same age were still crying and asking their parents for money to buy toys, Macaulay soon became a “money printing machine”, acting in movies and attending events on a regular basis. Besides movies, Macaulay also participates in many television shows and advertising contracts, further contributing to increasing his “huge” wealth.

Macaulay was invited by Michael Jackson to appear in the famous “Black or White” MV and has since become close with the King of Pop.

With rare talent and a smart face, a glorious career and open future are just waiting for Macaulay ahead. However, things did not happen that way.

Who would have imagined that this handsome and humorous boy could be destroyed by the temptations of Hollywood?

Success and money came to Macaulay at such a young age that he soon got into the troubles that every Hollywood child star faces. Falling into partying, smoking and leading a loose lifestyle, Macaulay’s career plummeted.

Macaulay’s emaciated image continuously appeared in the newspapers

Things got worse when Macaulay’s parents filed for divorce when he was just 14 years old, and the custody battle between the two lasted for years to decide who would manage the huge estate of $15 million. Found by Macaulay. In the end, Macaulay’s mother, Patricia Bentrup, won custody. 

Macaulay disowned his father, accusing him of assaulting him, and since then the relationship between the two has not improved.

Mr. and Mrs. Culkin had to go through many trials to win custody of Macaulay – “the goose that lays golden eggs”

Macaulay’s love life was no better when he had a hasty marriage with actress Rachel Miner when he was only 17 years old. In 2002, the two broke up after 4 years of marriage. After that, Macaulay dated Mila Kunis, but the relationship ended after 8 years and now Mila has become Ashton Kutcher’s wife.

The 8-year love of Macaulay and Mila Kunis had a sad end because of Macaulay’s indulgent lifestyle

Macaulay once again tried his hand at cinema with roles in “Party Monster” (2003), “Saved!” (2004), “Sex and Breakfast” (2007) but did not achieve success, and instead were fiercely criticized. Since then, Macaulay is no longer interested in acting.

Macaulay’s career seemed irreversible when he was arrested in 2004 for possessing and using illegal drugs. Perhaps the role of mischievous boy Kevin McCallister is the last beautiful image that fans can remember of him.

In his latest interview with New York Magazine, Macaulay announced his retirement from acting at the age of 35, and lamented that he was tired of being followed every time he went out. 

He shared: “Now I just want to do what fate brings me and do what I like to do.” In 2012, Macaulay and some friends founded the rock band Pizza Underground, specializing in composing and singing songs about… pizza. The art that Culkin is currently pursuing is considered “eccentric and bizarre” by the majority of public opinion.

Pizza Underground covers the song “Here she comes now” by rock group The Velvet Underground but with lyrics about… pizza

Daniel Radcliffe – The wizard gradually matures

Starting from the same starting point as Macaulay, Daniel Radcliffe can be considered the luckiest boy in England when he was accepted to play the wizard boy Harry Potter in the blockbuster film series adapted from the world-famous book series by author JKRowling.

Part I “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” debuted successfully and became the most popular movie of 2001, grossing 975 million dollars and continuing to maintain its performance in the following seven episodes. The Harry Potter film series became one of the most successful film adaptations ever.

 The huge salary from 8 films has helped Daniel become the richest young star in England, giving the wizard enough fame and money to live comfortably all his life, but also a big challenge. best for this child star’s career.

Sharing the secret to being able to keep himself from scandals in showbiz, Daniel pointed out the difference between Hollywood entertainment and the land of fog: “I think it depends on how you are raised and raised. In America , people will treat you like an actor first and then a child.

But in England it’s different, people will treat a child actor like a child first. When a child realizes that they If they can easily get what they want when they are 11 years old they will abuse it.

All they need is someone by their side to show them what not to do. I’m not sure that The same thing happens in America!”.

Indeed, to get to the role of Harry Potter, Daniel encountered obstacles when his parents worried that their son would have to leave his family for a long time to go to Los Angeles to film. Warner Bros.

had to add a clause to the contract that at least two episodes would be filmed in the UK, and Daniel and the other child actors would receive tutoring so they wouldn’t be neglected in their studies. 

Only then did Daniel and the producer receive the nod of approval from Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe. Even though he had to be away from home for a long time, Daniel affirmed that he did not lose his childhood like many other child actors.

 With the companionship and close bond of his co-stars Emma and Rupert, and traveling to many places around the world, Daniel believes that the role of Harry Potter has had a positive influence on his thinking and life.

That doesn’t mean Daniel is completely immune to the bad habits of showbiz. Young, successful, rich, at the age of 18, he is no stranger to lavish parties. 

Daniel even had a period of alcoholism when he was less than 20 years old. But Daniel soon realized that that indulgent lifestyle did not suit him. His solution to all rumors is to stay silent and adjust his lifestyle accordingly.

Daniel admitted that he had a history of alcoholism and was a frequent guest of lavish parties all night long when he was 18 years old.

Daniel in a rare appearance with his girlfriend

Although he has had many love affairs, Daniel has always been tight-lipped about his personal life. He kept his relationship with Erin Darke a secret for 2 years and only publicly admitted it in 2014 when the two were seen walking around together.

Not afraid to try new roles, that’s what people can comment on when looking at Daniel’s career. The wizard has surprised fans many times with his choice of characters. 5 years since the last Harry Potter movies were released, Daniel has constantly innovated in acting to escape his own shadow.

Daniel’s change through 7 parts

The innocent wizard boy from 15 years ago…

…now grown up

The most shocking incarnation was probably in 2007. Daniel tried his hand at theater with the play “Equus” when he was only 17 years old and had just finished part 5 of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”.

In the play, Daniel made viewers go from one surprise to another by accepting complete nudity but also showing his in-depth acting ability, an aspect that if Daniel had kept to himself If he stays in the safe zone, he will never be exposed and at the same time will not give him the opportunity to perform at the “cathedral” of Broadway – the capital of theater, the dream stage of every movie star. 2 years later.

Dare to try and accept sacrifices for art, Daniel Radcliffe’s talent is gradually recognized

In 2012, he played the main role in the fantasy horror film “The Woman in Black”. In 2013, Daniel did not hesitate to try new roles such as gay poet Allen Ginsberg in “Kill Your Darlings” or the man with the devil’s horn in “Horns”. 

In the summer of 2015, Daniel continued to play the role of a hunchback helping Doctor Frankenstein with a rather sickly long hair image in the movie “Victor Frankenstein” starring James McAvoy.

His diverse acting abilities caught the eye of producer Ed Solomon and led him to his first villain role with “Now You See Me 2”.

Daniel Radcliffe still achieved many new successes in his career

Maybe the role of Harry Potter will follow the name Daniel Radcliffe for the rest of his life, but that will not disappoint fans because of this young and talented actor’s hard work and diligence in each role.

 If Daniel still knows how to keep himself in this world full of gossip, Daniel’s future path will always be open to welcome him to even more brilliant successes ahead.

Conclude

Hollywood history has proven many times that success, fame and wealth are always accompanied by rebellion and depravity, and then ending life behind bars in prison or rehab.

 The feeling of being praised and treated like royalty at an age when children should be gathering with family and going on picnics with friends, has left them forever unable to find a part of them. Childhood has been taken away.

Pressure from society, negative influence from parents, abuse of alcohol, drugs and stimulants, victims of sexual abuse, loss of childhood and especially not having a clear career direction are The constant risk that generations of Hollywood child stars always face. 

For some people, success as a child can be a stepping stone to a brighter future later. But for those who are less fortunate and brave, the price to trade is sometimes too expensive.