‘Home Alone 2’: The Fate of the Cult Actors of the Movie People Love to Rewatch

There's no mentioning "cult favorites" without "Home Alone," especially its famous sequel "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York." Over three decades later, its well-loved cast members have gone on to lead different lives since being thrust into mega stardom thanks to the movie franchise.

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!" Whether you've watched "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" once or have rewatched it several times, the iconic line spoken by Macaulay Culkin's character Kevin McCallister has been ingrained in people's minds for decades.

The movie franchise launched the careers of all its stars and allowed them to pursue their paths following the success of its two movies. Take a trip down memory lane and see what your favorite "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York" actors have been up to in recent years and how starring in the films affected their lives.

1. Tim Curry (Mr. Hector)

Tim Curry has had quite an extensive list of acting credits through the years, and it's been very diverse, to say the least. From "Annie" to "Clue," to horror film "It," he's excelled in whatever role he played.

It was quite a surprise for many to discover he actually feared clowns despite playing Pennywise the Clown. Before signing on to do the movie, Curry had a clause on his contract demanding that he wouldn't have to see himself in costume while playing the terrifying clown.

In 1992, Curry played Mr. Hector, the Plaza Hotel concierge who was considered the film's main antagonist. Following his role, he also appeared in several projects like "Charlie's Angels," "Addams Family Reunion," and "Criminal Minds."

Aside from appearing on-screen, he also had a successful career in voice acting. He voiced for "Rugrats in Paris," "The Wild Thornberrys," and "Phineas and Ferb" to name a few.

Unfortunately, his career was halted in 2012 when he suffered a major stroke. Because of his condition, he needed to use a wheelchair to move around. Despite this, Curry never stopped working and made use of his powerful voice to make a living.

Determined to bounce back from his stroke, the actor went through physical and speech therapy to get better. He reprised his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter on "Rocky Horror Picture Show" in 2020 and narrated for "Fork," a horror film launched in 2022.

Aside from his entertainment career, Curry enjoys property development. He has developed and sold several homes around Los Angeles.

2. Joe Pesci (Harry Lime)

Before playing the burglar Harry Lime in the films, Joe Pesci was already a star thanks to his appearance on "Goodfellas." He won an Oscar for his role in the crime drama, and it was his first project with Martin Scorsese.

While on the "Home Alone 2" set, many believed playing such an adventurous role would be a piece of cake for the veteran actor. However, not many knew that the actor was in pain while filming.

During one of the scenes with Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), Pesci's character Harry pulled a light switch which ultimately triggered a booby trap that set his hat on fire.

Pesci had to film with a red, bald scalp for the rest of their time on the set. Despite the pain and suffering severe burns, he went on to finish the film. After "Home Alone 2," Pesci starred in a series of films, like "Lethal Weapon 4," "Casino," and "Jimmy Hollywood."

However, he shied away from the camera in 1999 when he stated his intentions to focus on his music career instead. Twenty years later, in 2019, he came out of retirement and decided to do another project with Martin Scorsese when he acted in "The Irishman."

History repeated itself when he earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the film. The iconic actor has one daughter named Tiffany. He shares her with ex-wife Claudia Haro, whom he married for four years before parting ways the same year their daughter was born.

3. Catherine O'Hara (Kate McCallister)

Catherine O'Hara was already acting in feature films before landing the role of Kate McCallister in the "Home Alone" films, having starred in "Beetlejuice." However, her role as Kevin's forgetful mother launched her to stardom.

Decades after the "Home Alone" movies hit theaters, O'Hara's iconic "Kevin!" scream remains a meme. She stayed busy through the years, starring in "Schitt's Creek," "Central Park," and "A Series of Unfortunate Events" among others.

Despite being in the industry for years, cementing her name in comedy, it was only in 2020 that O'Hara won her first acting Emmy for her portrayal of Moira Rose on "Schitt's Creek."

O'Hara is a proud mother to two children. She married director Bo Welch in 1992, and they share two sons named Matthew and Luke, born in 1994 and 1997. The siblings have chosen to live private lives. Their social media accounts are set to private, and not a lot is known about their interests.

4. John Heard (Peter McCallister)

John Heard was a veteran actor who first began acting in the 1970s. Before landing the role as Kevin's father, Peter McCallister, he was in films like "Between the Lines," "Cutters Way," and was Tom Hanks' rival in "Big."

In "Home Alone," Heard played Peter, who mistakingly left his 8-year-old son alone during Christmas while the rest of the family vacationed in France.

In the movie's sequel, he reprised his role, this time losing sight of his son while in an airport. Instead of taking his son Kevin with them to Florida, the boy mistakingly boards a plane to New York, where he is left to fend for himself.

After his role in the "Home Alone" films, Heard went on to appear in several hit projects, like "Law & Order," "The Sopranos," "White Chicks," and "The Guardian." He remained active in the industry until he died in 2017. Heard was 71 when he tragically died of a heart attack in his home in Palo Alto, California.

5. Devin Ratray (Buzz McCallister)

Devin Ratray played Kevin's unpleasant older brother, who was always out to get him. He was only 13 then and went on to appear in several other movies and TV shows as he got older.

Ratray is credited for appearing in the likes of "Law & Order," "Supernatural," "Blue Bloods," "Nebraska," and "The Good Wife." However, his career plans were thwarted by some run-ins with the law in 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, Ratray was accused of domestic violence by an ex-girlfriend. He was in jail for less than 15 minutes after posting his $25,000 bail. On the night of the incident, Ratray was not arrested and only issued a citation for assault and battery.

His bond was initially set to $740, and a $148 fine was charged. The following day, a police officer met with his girlfriend at the hotel lobby and took her statement. Although she initially didn't want to press charges, the actor was ultimately booked almost two weeks later.

6. Macaulay Culkin (Kevin McCallister)

Macaulay Culkin became a superstar at ten thanks to his appearance in the first "Home Alone" film. He reprised his role in the second film before landing the lead role in "Richie Rich" and "The Good Son."

At such a young age, Culkin was already a millionaire, recognized as one of the biggest stars of the early 1990s. However, he quit acting by the age of 14. Opening up about his decision, he said:

"I was so tired. I had wanted a break for a long time, and no one was listening. When I was in a position where I could walk away, I just did."

At 18, Culkin married Rachel Miner for four years until 2002. The actor went on to date Mila Kunis for eight years at a time when he tried to pursue acting again. Throughout his growing years, Culkin struggled with addiction, although he claimed the media exaggerated his troubles.

He also started a band called "The Pizza Underground" in 2012, which was meant to be a joke. Unfortunately, not a lot of people found it funny, and while on tour in the United Kingdom, they were booed off the stage.

Despite it all, Culkin found love again in Brenda Song after they appeared on "Changeland" together. They now share a son, Dakota Song Culkin. Their son was named after the actor's late sister, Dakota Culkin, who was hit by a car in Los Angeles and died. It happened moments after she got off the phone with her brother, who told her to sleep.

At 42, Culkin is no longer a heavy target of scrutiny. He now has a family and has settled down through the years. Culkin and his partner, Brenda Song, have just welcomed their second child, although Culkin's brother has not had the opportunity to meet the new addition.

7. Daniel Stern (Marv Murchins)

Daniel Stern played one of the burglars trying to gain access to the McAllister home alongside Pesci, only to be outsmarted by their much younger counterpart. However, his real life is far from similar to his "Home Alone" role.

Stern is still acting and appears as a regular in WGN America's "Manhattan." When he is not working as an actor, he enjoys sculpting, something the actor said he was passionate about in his youth and was pleased to have picked it up again.

The actor and his wife share three children, of whom Stern is exceptionally proud. He even helped his son create slogans when he ran for LA County Supervisor.

Stern admitted that he is not close with Culkin but is still in contact with Pesci. Stern called his partner in crime "a genius and a great actor." Although the pair made movie magic in the film, Stern says he has not watched the film in a long time and likely never will. He felt he gave it his all but is now done with it.

It's been decades since the "Home Alone" cast worked on the iconic film together, and so much has happened in their lives since then. No matter where the road took them, they have the movie franchise to thank for being a stepping stone to achieving greater heights.