The director of Home Alone finally revealed how the McCallister family was able to afford the extravagant Chicago mansion where Kevin fended off intruders in the classic Christmas film.
Director Chris Columbus had decided what parents Kate and Peter did for a living while discussing the movie with producer John Hughes.
‘Back then, John and I had a conversation about it, and we decided on what the jobs were,’ Columbus told The Hollywood Reporter.
Kate, played by Catherine O’Hara, ‘was a very successful fashion designer,’ he said. In the film, the dancing mannequins Kevin uses to trick the robbers hint at her profession.
As for Peter, played by John Heard, Columbus could not give a definitive answer.
‘The father could have, based on John Hughes’ own experience, worked in advertising, but I don’t remember what the father did,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Columbus also debunked rumors that Peter was funding his and his family’s lavish lifestyle illegally.
‘Not organized crime – even though there was, at the time, a lot of organized crime in Chicago,’ he said.
The director of the iconic holiday film revealed how the McCallister were able to afford their Chicago mansion
Chris Columbus said he decided on the parents’ jobs during a conversation with producer John Hughes
Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, fought off criminals in both Home Alone movies
The home, now valued at an eye-watering $5.25 million, has become a popular tourist attraction in Winnetka, Illinois.
It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a heated garage, a private parking bay, a primary suite with gas fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a marble spa bath, according to its Zillow listing.
Home Alone debuted in 1990, starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin. The child was left to fend for himself after his family mistakenly left him behind and hopped on a flight to Paris.
Kevin was left to fight off criminals Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, who tried to break into the wealthy household.
Using clever booby traps and sneaky tactics, Kevin was able to protect himself and his house all while being home alone.
The sequel, Home Alone 2, came out in 1992. Trouble arose when Kevin’s family lost track of him once again – this time at an airport.
Kevin boarded a flight to New York while the rest of his family flew to Florida.
After finagling his way into a luxurious one-night Plaza stay, he recognized Harry and Marv, who were plotting to rob an old man’s toy store. For a second time, Kevin took matters into his own hands to stop them.
Kate, played by Catherine O’Hara, ‘was a very successful fashion designer’ and Peter, played by John Heard, likely worked in advertising, but Columbus could not say for sure
Kevin was left home alone in the 1990 film after his family forgot him and left for Paris
Kevin came up with a clever plan to trap the intruders by setting up traps throughout his giant home
Kevin booby-trapped his aunt and uncle’s Upper West Side brownstone in order to catch the thieves.
This 4,776-square-foot property was sold for a whopping $5.7 million in January 2024.
More than 30 years after both movies were filmed, Culkin’s three-year-old son said he adores Home Alone.
Culkin said his son, Dakota, was a big fan of the movie, and even saw himself in his father’s young character.
