There's been many child stars before, and child stars after, but none have had quite the precocity of Macaulay Culkin. Most actors will require years, if not decades of training before they really shine. Culkin was something different: a mere kid who, the moment he stepped onto the screen, looked like a star beyond his years. Whatever he did, it was just right.
Born in 1981, it only took Culkin eight years of his life to crack it into the big time: Most will remember him from the Home Alone films, and My Girl, but his first big film was actually Uncle Buck. In that, Culkin played opposite film comedy icon John Candy - and nailed the role. There was just something about him that made Hollywood executives sit up and take notice.