The Truth About Kieran Culkin's Relationship With His Mom

Kieran Culkin, growing up as one of Patricia Brentrup's seven children, spent his early years in a cramped New York City railroad apartment with six of his siblings and both parents. Describing the living situation to Vanity Fair, the "Succession" star detailed, "It was just a hallway, and there were no separating doors, except for the bathroom, which didn't have a lock."

Despite being part of a large family, Kieran and his siblings were primarily raised by their mother, as their father, Kit Culkin, was reportedly abusive and exploitative. Both Kieran and his brother, Macaulay Culkin, have spoken about the challenges they faced with their dad, emphasizing their mother's pivotal role in their upbringing. "My mom was the parent, so when [Kit] wasn't there, it was nicer and better," Kieran told Vanity Fair.

Years later, now a prominent Hollywood figure after his role in HBO's "Succession," Kieran still maintains a strong connection with his mother. Brentrup, who was never legally married to Kit, married another man after splitting from Kieran's father in 1995 and has since relocated to Billings, Montana. Other than having a great relationship with his mom, Kieran seems to fancy her new husband, too. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, he said of his stepfather, "He's nice to me. He gave me a horse." Now a father himself, Kieran seems to appreciate the family values instilled by his mother more than ever.