From starring in the classic Home Alone to becoming fathers (and uncles), brothers Macaulay and Keiran Culkin have been in the spotlight for most of their lives.
Macaulay was recently awarded a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame, while Keiran won the Golden Globes Award for Best Supporting Actor in A Real Pain (2024), a film with Jesse Eisenberg.
For outsiders, it may look like the brothers are winning the world. However, behind their successes hides a tragic past, marked by a series of deaths of their beloved family members.
Before their sister Dakota’s unfortunate death in a traffic accident in 2008, Jennifer Adamson, their half-sister from father Kit’s side, died of an overdose in 2000. Here’s everything you should know about Jennifer Adamson.
Who Is Jennifer Adamson?
Image source: Google
The Culkin siblings are perhaps some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. Their father, Christopher Cornelius “Kit” Culkin, was a former stage actor, while their mother, Patricia Brentrup, was a telephone operator.
Before moving in with Patricia, however, Kit had a brief relationship with Adeena VanWagoner. Kit and Adeena ended up having one daughter they named Jennifer.
Early Life
Jennifer Adamson was born on June 27, 1970, four years before Kit met Patricia Brentrup. Like all the Culkin siblings, she was raised in New York City.
Unlike her half-siblings, however, Jennifer remained out of the spotlight. She grew up without her biological father, Kit, while her mother remarried to Robert Adamson.
Keeping away from the limelight, little is known about her childhood, and Jennifer’s relationship with the Culkin siblings remains a mystery.
As a teen, she attended Sentinel High School in Missoula, Montana. After graduating in 1988, she attended Seattle Central Community College, a public college in Seattle, Washington.
Career History
Her friends described Jennifer as having a “bright spirit” and a sense of humor to go with it. She had an easy-going nature and was blessed with an “acute empathy with all living beings.”
These qualities extended to her choice of career. Jennifer worked as a supervisor for MSDC at the South Hills Group Home. Her job involved helping developmentally disabled adults, reflecting her desire for public service.
Image source: Google
Tragic Death From Overdose
On May 20, 2000, relatives and friends of Jennifer Adamson were suddenly met with terrible news. Jennifer Adamson, 29, was found dead inside her home.
According to reports, Jennifer died from a drug overdose. She now rests at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana.
The Culkin siblings hadn’t released any statement or comment about their half-sister’s sudden death. Jennifer’s mother, Adeena VanWagoner, died five months later.
Where Are the Other Culkins Now?
After a hostile custody battle in 1995, Jennifer’s half-siblings, Shane, Dakota, Macaulay, Kieran, Quinn, Christian, and Rory, stayed with their mother, Patricia. Here’s where they are today:
Macaulay Culkin
After gaining massive success and wealth from acting, the child superstar Macaulay Culkin took a step back from Hollywood.
Image source: Pinterest
In an interview with Maron, Macaulay explained: “Eventually I was like ‘I’m done guys, hope you all made your money because there is no more coming from me.’”
Between 2013 and 2018, Macaulay has had a roller coaster of adventures. He started a pizza-themed Velvet Underground cover band, Pizza Underground, and launched a satirical website and podcast, Bunny Ears.
He then changed his middle name to Macaulay Culkin, making his full name Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin. The former child superstar briefly returned to acting in 2020, appearing in American Horror Story.
Macaulay welcomed his first son, Dakota, with actress Brenda Song in 2017. They announced their engagement in 2022 and had their second child, Carson, in 2023.
Keiran Culkin
Keiran Culkin, who, together with Macaulay, appeared in Home Alone, continued his acting career after the hit films concluded. Honing his skills, Keiran earned numerous accolades in the industry.
Image source: Pinterest
In 2002, he was nominated for a Golden Globe award after starring in the comedy film, Igby Goes Down. From there, he gained more recognition by appearing as a main cast in the television series, Succession.
His powerful performance in the HBO show earned him several Golden Globe nominations and a well-deserved Primetime Emmy Award in 2023.
Keiran is now married to Jazz Charton and has two children together. He recently earned his second Golden Globe award for A Real Pain.
Rory Culkin
Like his two older brothers, Rory Culkin started acting as a child. He often appears as a younger version of Kieran and Macaulay, particularly in Igby Goes Down and Richie Rich.
Image source: Pinterest
Rory has worked with massive stars like Joaquin Phoenix and Mel Gibson in Signs. He also appeared in You Can Count on Me (2000) alongside Mark Ruffalo and Laura Linney.
The youngest Culkin is married to cinematographer Sarah Scrivener. The couple had their son, James, in 2020.
Quinn Culkin
Quinn Culkin was born on November 8, 1984. She’s the third youngest child of Kirk Culkin and Patricia Brentrup.
Following her older brothers’ steps, Quinn appeared in two movies, the 1993 thriller film, The Good Son and the 1991 TV series, Wish Kid, both with her brother, Macaulay.
Her stint on screen didn’t last, though, and Quinn stepped back from the limelight. Her most recent public appearance was during Macaulay’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
Image source: Google
Christian Culkin
Christian, the second youngest Culkin, lived a pretty private life. He was born on January 30, 1987, and is currently 37 years old.
Christian was once an actor, and appeared in a film, My Summer Story (1994), with his brother Kieran. He stopped appearing in movies after that one singular role.
Image source: Google
Shane Culkin
Shane Culkin is the second oldest of the siblings, second to their half-sister Jennifer. He was born in 1976, making him 49 years old at the time of this writing.
Despite having celebrity siblings, Shane managed to stay outside the spotlight. We know that he once loved acting, though.
In 1988, Shane played Wally Web in the Broadway production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Most recently, he reunited with his brothers, Christian, Rory, Kieran, and Macaulay, in the animated series, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (2023).
Image source: Google
Final Thoughts
That’s everything about Jennifer Adamson, Macaulay Culkin’s half-sister who died from a drug overdose in 2000. She was the eldest daughter of Kit Culkin, with her late ex-partner, Adeena VanWagoner. You also learned some fresh updates about the Home Alone siblings.
Did you enjoy reading this post? Share it with your family and friends!
Featured image source: Pinterest