Tim Curry recalls Macaulay Culkin as a very nice kid who sometimes fell asleep on the “Home Alone 2” set

Tim Curry has played plenty of unforgettable characters, but every so often, it is the behind-the-scenes stories that stick with people the most. Recently, Curry revisited one of his most widely watched roles by looking back on “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York“. His memories are not just about the movie.

They are about the long days, the hotel rooms, and the kind of small moments that only happen on a film set.

A visit to the Margaret Herrick Library

Curry, now 79 years old, stopped by The Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library and took a walk through his own career history. During the visit, he checked out artifacts connected to his past work while he talked with archivist Louise Hilton about some of his biggest roles.

That setting matters because it is not a typical interview studio. It is a place built for remembering. So when Hilton brought up “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York“, it opened the door to stories that feel more personal than polished.

Hilton asked Curry about what it was like to stay at the Plaza Hotel in New York City with the cast during filming. That is the kind of detail fans love, since the Plaza is basically a character in the movie. Curry’s real-life view of it was a lot less magical.

Staying at the Plaza Hotel was not the fantasy people expected

If you imagine the cast living it up in one of the most famous hotels in the country, Tim Curry’s answer quickly brings things back down to earth. Talking about the living situation, he admitted, “It wasn’t particularly fun,” and then added, “I had a view of a brick wall.”

It is such a simple detail, but it tells you a lot. Even when you are filming a big studio sequel in New York City, your day-to-day life can still be a little cramped and a little boring. Movie magic does not always extend to the hotel room window.

Still, the Plaza setting is a big part of why the sequel feels so iconic. Kevin McCallister roaming through a fancy hotel is part of the wish fulfillment of the story. Curry’s memories remind you that for the adults in the cast, it was also just work.

Fun Fact: The Pigeon Lady was played by Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker, who won Best Supporting Actress at the 1990 Oscars for My Left Foot.

Tim Curry on working with Macaulay Culkin

Of course, one of the biggest reasons people still talk about Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is Macaulay Culkin. He was a kid carrying a huge franchise on his shoulders, and Curry remembered him with real warmth. Curry recalled, “Mac used to stay up watching late-night movies and fall asleep in the makeup chair.”

That image is so easy to picture. A young star, probably exhausted, staying up too late anyway, then nodding off while the grown-ups get him camera-ready. It is a detail that makes Culkin feel like what he was at the time, which is just a kid in a very unusual situation.

Curry also made it clear he enjoyed being around him. “I liked him. He was a very nice kid,” he said. It is a short quote, but it carries weight. Some child actors get described like coworkers. This sounds more like someone remembering a sweet kid who happened to be famous.

For fans of the film, it is nice to hear that the dynamic behind the scenes was kind, especially since Curry’s character in the movie is anything but warm and fuzzy.

The Trump cameo, and what Curry remembers about it

Curry also shared memories from the “Home Alone 2” set with The Guardian back in October, and those stories centered on Donald Trump and Ivana Trump. Trump’s cameo is one of the most talked-about moments in the movie now. In the film, Kevin ends up at the Plaza Hotel, which Trump owned at the time, and the future president appears briefly while Kevin asks for directions.

Curry’s recollections focus less on the camera moment itself and more on the atmosphere around the hotel’s ownership. Ivana, whom Curry remembered as the manager of the hotel, apparently checked in with him directly. “She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?’ ” Curry recalled. “And I loathed it actually.”

Curry also said Donald Trump was “very anxious” to find director Chris Columbus so he could introduce him to Marla Maples, whom Trump called “a brilliant actress.” Curry added, “And I thought: ‘Yeah, I’m sure.

And Curry recalled Trump saying, “He said, ‘I’ve got to get Marla to meet Chris Columbus because she’s a brilliant actress.” Then Curry added his own reaction, “And I thought, ‘Yeah, I’m sure.’ ” It is sharp, it is dry, and it sounds exactly like Curry. He tells the story without trying too hard, which is probably why it lands.

Fun Fact: The Donald Trump cameo was tied to filming at the Plaza Hotel. Director Chris Columbus has said that Trump’s appearance was essentially a condition of being allowed to film at the Plaza, which Trump owned at the time.

Why do these small memories make the movie feel bigger?

People rewatch “Home Alone 2, Lost in New York” for the slapstick, the holiday vibe, and the comfort of something familiar. But stories like these add another layer. You get a glimpse of the real work behind a movie that feels effortless on screen.

You also get a reminder that a set is a mix of very different experiences. For a kid like Culkin, it might mean sneaking in late-night movies and falling asleep in a makeup chair. For an adult like Curry, it might mean long days, a less-than-exciting room, and awkward small talk with the people running the building.

And somehow, all of that still turns into a movie that people keep coming back to. That is the funny thing about film. The memories behind it can be messy or ordinary, but the final result becomes part of many families’ holiday traditions.

TL;DR

• Tim Curry recently revisited “Home Alone 2, Lost in New York” while visiting The Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library with archivist Louise Hilton.
• Asked about staying at the Plaza Hotel during filming, Curry said, “It wasn’t particularly fun,” adding, “I had a view of a brick wall.”
• Curry shared a sweet memory of Macaulay Culkin, saying, “Mac used to stay up watching late-night movies and fall asleep in the makeup chair.”
• He also said of Culkin, “I liked him. He was a very nice kid.”
• In a separate recollection shared with The Guardian, Curry described an awkward moment with Ivana Trump about the hotel room decor.
• Curry recalled, “She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?’ ” and admitted, “And I loathed it actually.”
• Curry also remembered Donald Trump being eager to introduce director Chris Columbus to Marla Maples, quoting Trump and adding his own dry reaction, “And I thought: ‘Yeah, I’m sure.’ ”

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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Kate Hudson’s hidden holiday secret

Kate Hudson surprised many fans by revealing her secret link to Home Alone 2, and it makes longtime viewers smile. She explained that her job was hidden in the music, not on the screen itself, really.

Instead of appearing in front of the camera, she sang in the children’s choir heard during the early school scene. It became a tiny moment that still follows her career in a fun and unexpected way, even today, for many.

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Not on screen but part of history

Many viewers searched for her face in the movie, yet Kate has joked that people will never spot her because she was never filmed there. Her contribution lived only in the sound and magic of holiday music.

That small role illustrates how movies often feature many unseen helpers who contribute to the moments audiences love during the holidays. Her voice helped create warmth and laughter, even though she stood far from the main action at the time.

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A young teen finding her voice

Kate was only a young teen at the time, trying to enjoy singing while still figuring out life like any kid. She laughs now about not remembering every detail, because she felt so small back then.

Looking back, it feels like the first tiny spark of the music work she would later embrace onscreen. That little memory stayed with her as she grew stronger, wiser, and ready for even bigger dreams ahead.

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A choir moment in chaos

Her singing plays during the scene when Kevin pushes Buzz, starting the funny chain of kids falling like dominoes on the stage. That wild moment became a favorite holiday memory for fans everywhere today.

While eyes follow the slapstick action, her voice helps convey the feeling of a school event suddenly spinning out of control into pure trouble. It adds energy and sound, turning that scene into a true movie memory piece.

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Tiny checks that still arrive

Kate has shared that she still receives small residual payments for that childhood singing job, sometimes just a few cents in the mail. It always makes her laugh, because the memory now feels so insignificant.

Those little checks remind her that even small roles matter and stay part of an artist’s life. They demonstrate how every experience helps shape a career, building confidence and creating stories that fans enjoy hearing years later.

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Before fame truly arrived

This happened years before she became famous for Almost Famous and charming romantic comedies that millions of people still enjoy. Back then, she was just a kid having fun with music and dreams growing quietly.

Her journey from that small sound booth to worldwide recognition demonstrates how success can begin in the simplest of places. It reminds young dreamers that every step counts, even the ones that seem hidden at first glance.

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Growing into a screen favorite

After that early experience, Kate built a career marked by heart, humor, and memorable performances that resonated with audiences worldwide. Her energy and warmth became an integral part of her signature style from that point forward.

From drama to comedy, she demonstrated her ability to handle a wide range of tones and still bring a natural spark. Fans enjoy watching her grow as an artist, knowing that her talent started with music years earlier, too.

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Back to music with new power

Hudson stars opposite Hugh Jackman in Song Sung Blue, a film about a Neil Diamond tribute act whose members navigate heartbreak and second chances through music. The story beautifully combines hope, heartache, and second chances now.

Her voice carries emotion, revealing how much she has grown since that moment in the tiny choir. Audiences enjoy seeing her blend music and acting, bringing both strength and warmth to the character on screen today.

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Critics notice the shine

Many critics praise her performance for its honesty and heart, saying she brings depth to a story about love and survival. They admire her presence and the way she connects with viewers emotionally throughout it.

Even with mixed thoughts on parts of the movie, reviewers often agree she stands out in a powerful way. Her work feels confident, genuine, and full of experience, clearly showcasing years of growth and skill.

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Awards buzz grows louder

Some critics and awards watchers have suggested Hudson could be a Best Actress contender for Song Sung Blue. She last received an Academy Award nomination for Almost Famous in 2001.

Fans love the idea of her returning to the Oscars spotlight after such a long gap. It feels like a full-circle moment, from childhood choir singer to respected leading star in the industry once again.

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A career full of surprises

Kate’s story illustrates how unexpected twists can shape a life, from small, hidden roles to starring ones that touch millions. Her path has never been boring, always filled with new chances and creative steps forward.

That mix of luck, hard work, and timing keeps fans connected to her journey. People enjoy seeing how she embraces each chapter, always bringing heart and spirit into whatever comes next in life for many fans.

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Fans enjoy the fun trivia

Learning that Kate’s voice hides inside a beloved holiday movie feels like discovering a secret gift tucked into a favorite tradition. It adds a fresh smile to rewatches, especially for families who love fun details.

Fans often share this fact with friends, enjoying the surprise of a star being part of the movie long before they became famous. It keeps the film feeling alive, personal, and full of little stories inside it.

Want to see another fun side of Kate? Check out her hilarious turn coaching basketball in Netflix’s new comedy.

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A sweet holiday connection

Now people can watch Home Alone 2 and feel a special connection, knowing Kate Hudson helped shape its joyful sound. That hidden choir moment became a tiny thread in holiday memories for many families now.

It serves as a reminder that even background voices can leave a lasting impact on pop culture and hearts. Kate’s journey from that moment to today demonstrates how dreams can grow in unexpected yet wonderful ways.

Curious about her live music plans? Click through to see how Kate surprised fans with three exciting spring concerts.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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