Rory Hugh Culkin (born July 21, 1989) is an American actor known for his roles in You Can Count on Me (2000), Signs (2002), Scream 4 (2011), Columbus (2017), and Lords of Chaos (2018). He has also appeared on television series such as Waco (2018), Under the Banner of Heaven (2022), and the Black Mirror (2023) episode "Beyond the Sea." In 2025, his short film Dear Shop Girl premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival.
He is the youngest brother of actors Macaulay and Kieran Culkin.
Early life Culkin was born on July 21, 1989, in New York City. His father is Christopher "Kit" Culkin, a former Broadway stage actor. His mother is Patricia Brentrup, a native of North Dakota who met Kit in 1974 while working as a road traffic controller in Sundance, Wyoming. Rory is the youngest of their seven children. Culkin's siblings include Shane ( 1976), Dakota (1979–2008), Macaulay ( 1980), Kieran ( 1982), Quinn ( 1984), and Christian ( 1987). He also had a paternal half-sister, Jennifer (1970–2000). Culkin's paternal aunt is actress Bonnie Bedelia. He has German, Irish, and Norwegian ancestry.Kepnes, Caroline (October 2005). "Schmoozin' with Mila Kunis". JVibe. Archived from the original on June 3, 2006. Retrieved January 16, 2016. Mila Kunis on Culkin: "No my boyfriend was raised Irish Catholic..."
Career Culkin began acting by playing alongside his elder brothers, among them Macaulay and Kieran, often as the younger versions of their characters. He first appeared in a photograph as a baby in The Good Son (1993), then as Young Richie in Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994) (Richie being played by his brother Macaulay) and in 2002, played 10-year-old Igby in Igby Goes Down (17-year-old Igby was played by his older brother Kieran).
Culkin's breakthrough role was in You Can Count on Me (2000), opposite Laura Linney, a role for which he received much praise and a Young Artist Award. Since then, Culkin has appeared in numerous films, including Signs (2002), in which he starred alongside Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix and Electrick Children, in which he starred alongside Julia Garner.
As a teenager, Rory started moving into more independent films. He took a leading role in Mean Creek (2004), a film about a group of teenagers that plan revenge on a bully. The entire youth cast won an Independent Spirit Award for this film. He appeared in other independent films, such as The Chumscrubber (2005), Down in the Valley (2005), and Hick (2011).
Since his Young Artist Award win for You Can Count on Me, Culkin has received three more nominations. He had a guest role in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Manic", and in the episode "Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine" of The Twilight Zone alongside Patrick Warburton. In May 2010, Culkin was cast for the slasher film Scream 4, which was released on April 15, 2011. Culkin was cast as Euronymous in the biographical film Lords of Chaos (2018) which tells the story about the events of the Norwegian black metal scene and the band Mayhem.
In 2014, Culkin starred as the titular character in Gabriel. Culkin was commended by critics, and was subsequently nominated for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor.
In 2016, he appeared in the horror movies Welcome to Willits and Jack Goes Home.
In 2023, Culkin guest-appeared in Amazon Prime Video series Swarm.
In June of 2026, it was announced Culkin would star opposite Lauren LaVera in Red Wedding, a new horror-thriller film.
Personal life Culkin met cinematographer Sarah Scrivener in 2010 during the production of Scre4m, and worked together on several projects. They got engaged in December 2017, and were married on April 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their wedding was officiated by Paul Heyman on the eve of WrestleMania 34. Culkin and Scrivener eventually separated.
Culkin entered a relationship with cinematographer Katelin Arizmendi in 2023. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, on May 23, 2026.
Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes 1993 The Good Son Richard EvansCameo 1994 Richie Rich Young Richie Rich 2000 You Can Count on Me Rudy Prescott2002 Signs Morgan Hess Igby Goes Down 10-Year-Old Igby 2003 It Runs in the Family Eli Gromberg 2004 Mean Creek Sam Merric2005 The Zodiac Johnny Parish The Chumscrubber Charlie Stifle Down in the Valley Lonnie 2006 The Night Listener Pete D. Logand2008 Chasing 3000 Roger Lymelife Scott 2010 Twelve Chris 2011 Hick Clement Scream 4 Charlie Walker 2012 Electrick Children Clyde 2014 Gabriel Gabriel 2015 Intruders Dan Cooper2016 Jack Goes Home Jack Welcome to Willits Possum 2017 Columbus Gabriel The Song of Sway Lake Ollie Bullet Head Gage 2018 Lords of Chaos Euronymous 2020 Materna Gabe 2021 The Last Thing Mary Saw The Intruder2024 5lbs of Pressure Mike Dead Money Uncle Ronnie / Revolver 2025 Dear Shop Girl Customer
Television Year Title RoleNotes 2001 Off Season Jackson Mayhew Television film 2001–2002 The Job Davey McNeil 2 episodes 2002 The Twilight Zone Craig Hansen Episode: "Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine" 2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Joe Blaine Episode: "Manic" 2017–2018 Sneaky Pete Gavin 2 episodes2018 Waco David Thibodeau 6 episodes Castle Rock Willie 4 episodes 2019 City on a Hill Clay Roach5 episodes2020 The ExpectingTyler9 episodes 50 States of Fright Older Aiden 2 episodes2021HalstonJoel SchumacherEpisode: "Becoming Halston"2022Under the Banner of HeavenSamuel Lafferty7 episodes 2023 Swarm MarcusEpisode: "Stung" Black Mirror Kappa Episode: "Beyond the Sea" 2026 Nocturne Karl Upcoming series
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