Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin: Relationship, Kids, Careers and Life Together
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin are a longtime couple who began dating in 2017, became engaged in 2022, and now share two sons, Dakota and Carson. Both were child stars who built successful adult careers before creating a family together.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have one of those Hollywood stories that took an unexpected path. They were both working actors from a young age, but they did not become a couple until years after their first meeting.
Their relationship began while filming Changeland in Thailand in 2017. Since then, they have built a family away from much of the usual celebrity spotlight. They became engaged in 2022 and welcomed two sons.
The couple has also continued working in entertainment. Song has recently appeared in Running Point and The Last Showgirl, while Culkin has continued taking film and television roles after becoming internationally famous as a child.
Who Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin?
Brenda Song is an American actress best known to many viewers for playing London Tipton in Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck. Her career later expanded into films, adult television, voice acting, and streaming projects. (Television Academy)
Macaulay Culkin is an American actor who became one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1990s. His breakthrough came with Home Alone, where he played Kevin McCallister. He later appeared in films such as My Girl, The Good Son, Richie Rich, Party Monster, and Saved!. (Biography)
The two have more in common than simply being famous actors. Both experienced childhood fame, both had to adjust to life after becoming well-known at a young age, and both eventually found a relationship with someone who understood the unusual pressures of growing up in entertainment.
How Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Met
Song and Culkin first crossed paths through actor Seth Green. Their first meeting happened before they became romantic partners.
The pair later reunited in Thailand while working on Green’s independent film Changeland. The 2019 movie follows people searching for direction during a trip to Thailand.
That second meeting changed their relationship. Song later explained that she initially expected Culkin to become a close friend rather than a romantic partner. Their friendship developed during the production, and the two began dating in 2017. (E! Online)
Their relationship became public later that year after they were seen together in Los Angeles. They have generally kept their family life much more private than many celebrity couples.
Brenda Song’s Career Before Macaulay Culkin
Song started working in entertainment as a child. Her early career included commercials, television appearances, and family-oriented films.
Her major breakthrough came with Disney Channel. She played London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, a role that became closely associated with her career. She continued the character in The Suite Life on Deck and The Suite Life Movie. (Television Academy)
Song also starred in Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior and appeared in projects such as Stuck in the Suburbs, Get a Clue, and The Social Network.
As she grew older, she moved into more varied roles. Her credits include Scandal, New Girl, Dollface, Station 19, Secret Obsession, and several voice roles.
Her recent career has brought another wave of attention. Song plays Ali Lee in Netflix’s Running Point, a comedy series centered on a fictional Los Angeles basketball organization. The series was renewed for a second season, and Song has continued to receive attention for the role. (Television Academy)
She also appeared in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl, alongside Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kiernan Shipka, and Dave Bautista. (Television Academy)
Macaulay Culkin’s Rise to Fame
Culkin began acting when he was very young. His early work included appearances in films and television before he attracted major attention in Uncle Buck.
Then came Home Alone.
Released in 1990, the movie turned Culkin into an international star. His performance as Kevin McCallister became one of the defining child performances in family comedy.
He returned as Kevin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. His other major childhood films included My Girl, The Good Son, The Pagemaster, and Richie Rich. (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Culkin later stepped away from the center of Hollywood for periods and took on more unusual projects. His adult work has included Party Monster, Saved!, television appearances, voice work, and independent projects.
His career received another major milestone in 2023 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony recognized his decades-long career and his lasting connection with Home Alone. (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
When Did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Start Dating?
Song and Culkin began dating in 2017 after reconnecting during the filming of Changeland in Thailand.
Their relationship gradually became public. They were photographed together in Los Angeles later that year, and they continued appearing together at events and spending time with mutual friends. (E! Online)
Unlike many celebrity relationships, theirs has generally remained fairly low-key. They have shared occasional photos and comments about each other, but they rarely make their private family life the focus of public attention.
When Did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Get Engaged?
Song and Culkin became engaged in January 2022, after welcoming their first child.
The couple had reportedly discussed marriage before their engagement became public. Song later spoke about wedding planning and said they had even considered eloping.
As of September 2026, there has been no reliable public confirmation that they have legally married. They continue to be described publicly as an engaged couple in recent reporting. (ELLE)
There has also been a playful update to their engagement story. In 2025, Song revealed that Culkin had proposed again while she was working on Running Point. Their children were involved in the surprise, although the planned moment did not go exactly as expected. (EW.com)
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin’s Children
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have two sons, Dakota and Carson.
Their first son, Dakota Song Culkin, was born in April 2021. The couple named him Dakota after Culkin’s late sister, Dakota Culkin. (E! Online)
Their second son, Carson, was born in 2022. The family has generally kept both children away from the spotlight, although the boys have occasionally appeared at major family events. (E! Online)
The couple publicly brought their two sons to Culkin’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in December 2023. It was one of the clearest public glimpses of their family at the time. (E! Online)
In 2026, Song and Culkin have continued to talk about parenting in interviews while protecting their children’s privacy.
What Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin Like as Parents?
Both actors have spoken about how becoming parents changed their priorities.
Song has described motherhood as an important part of her life while continuing to work. She has also talked about finding a balance between acting and being present for her children.
Culkin has similarly discussed fatherhood and how his own childhood influenced the way he thinks about parenting. He has spoken about wanting his children to feel supported and proud of themselves. (E! Online)
The couple’s children have also started to discover their father’s most famous work. Culkin has shared stories about Dakota watching Home Alone and identifying with Kevin McCallister.
That makes for an amusing family connection. The character that made Culkin famous decades ago has become part of his own children’s childhood.
Brenda Song’s Background and Heritage
Song was born on March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California.
She grew up in a family with Hmong and Thai roots. The Television Academy notes that she identifies as part of the Hmong community and has roots connected to Thailand and China. (Television Academy)
Song has spoken publicly about growing up in a first-generation family and the importance of her parents. Her background has also shaped how she thinks about representation and family.
Her early success was significant because she became a recognizable Asian American actress during a period when young performers from Asian backgrounds were still underrepresented in mainstream American children’s television.
Macaulay Culkin’s Family Background
Culkin was born on August 26, 1980, in New York City.
He grew up as one of seven children. Several members of the Culkin family also entered the entertainment industry, including his brothers Kieran and Rory. (Biography)
His family life became a major subject of public discussion during his childhood career. As an adult, Culkin has spoken openly about his experiences growing up famous and the difficulties that came with early success.
Those experiences make his current role as a father especially interesting to longtime fans. He has discussed wanting to create a different kind of childhood experience for his own children.
Their Careers Have Continued After Becoming Parents
Parenthood has not ended either actor’s career.
Song has remained active in film and television. Her role in Running Point has introduced her to a new generation of viewers while showing a different side of her acting range.
Culkin has also continued working. His career in recent years has included appearances in television projects and major film and streaming productions. He also lent his voice to Zootopia 2 and appeared in the second season of Fallout. (People.com)
Their careers now exist alongside family life rather than replacing it.
That balance has become a recurring theme in Song’s interviews. She has made it clear that motherhood matters deeply to her, but she also wants to keep developing as an actor.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin in 2026
The couple reached nine years together in June 2026.
Culkin marked the anniversary publicly with a tribute to Song, describing the relationship as a life-changing part of his story. Song also shared a message about their years together and returning home to see Culkin and their children. (iHeart)
They have continued making occasional public appearances together, including events connected to Song’s Running Point and Culkin’s projects.
Their relationship remains relatively private, but their recent appearances show that they are comfortable supporting each other’s professional lives.
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin: Quick Facts
| Detail | Brenda Song | Macaulay Culkin |
|---|---|---|
| Profession | Actress | Actor |
| Born | March 27, 1988 | August 26, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Carmichael, California | New York City |
| Best known for | London Tipton | Kevin McCallister |
| Major franchise | The Suite Life | Home Alone |
| Relationship began | 2017 | 2017 |
| Engaged | 2022 | 2022 |
| Children | Two sons | Two sons |
| Children | Dakota and Carson | Dakota and Carson |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin married?
As of September 2026, they are publicly known as an engaged couple. There has been no reliable public confirmation of a legal marriage.
How did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin meet?
They first met through their mutual connection to actor Seth Green. They later reconnected while filming Changeland in Thailand in 2017, which is when their romantic relationship began. (E! Online)
How long have Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin been together?
They began dating in 2017. In June 2026, they celebrated their ninth anniversary together. (iHeart)
How many children do Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin have?
They have two sons, Dakota and Carson.
What is Brenda Song known for?
Song is best known for playing London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck. She has since built a broader career in film, television, and voice acting. (Television Academy)
What is Macaulay Culkin known for?
Culkin is best known for playing Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The role made him an international child star. (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
What are Brenda Song’s children named?
Her sons are named Dakota and Carson. The family keeps most details about the children private.
Did Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin work together?
Yes. They appeared together in Seth Green’s 2019 film Changeland. The production was also where their romantic relationship developed.
How old is Brenda Song?
Brenda Song was born March 27, 1988. She is 38 years old as of September 2026.
How old is Macaulay Culkin?
Macaulay Culkin was born August 26, 1980. He is 46 years old as of September 2026.
A Family Built Away From the Spotlight
Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin started their relationship after years of separate careers and childhood fame. Their story eventually moved from a film set in Thailand to engagement and parenthood.
Today, they are raising two sons while continuing to work in entertainment. Song has entered another strong phase of her acting career, while Culkin continues to choose projects after decades in the public eye.
Their story stands out because it has developed quietly. They have shared important milestones with fans while keeping much of their family life private. For two people who grew up under intense public attention, that balance appears to be an important part of the life they have created together.
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