Macaulay Culkin turns 32 this August. At 10, he became a household word when he starred in "Home Alone" (1990). Two years later he returned for the sequel, "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York". In 1994 he starred in "Richie Rich."A few small flicks followed but then his Hollywood star faded and he became just one more child-actor casualty; from millionaire to has-been before he even reached the age of 16.

According to the unreliable source, National Enquirer, he is now hopelessly addicted to heroin and other narcotics— Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycodone. As for celebrity gossip: he took drugs due to suffering from depression after losing girlfriend Mila Kunis ("Black Swan") who is now linked with Ashton Kutcher who was plastered all over tabloids during his marital breakup with Demi Moore.

Macaulay's reps deny that he has been hooked on drugs but one look at recent photos of Maccaulay and the rumors seem true. He is emaciated and as sunken-faced as any street junkie.

His childhood troubles have been highly publicized. He grew up sharing one bedroom with 6 siblings. His father pushed him into acting at age 4. By 8, Macaulay was cast in his first movie, then Macaulay's parents went through a creepy, greedy cutody battle during the mid '90s. In 2004, Macaulay was arrested for possession of pot and prescription painkillers (he had no prescription).

It makes sense that he became good friends with Michael Jackson—another child star who ran amok and blamed his dictatorial father. Macaulay has been quoted as saying, "My father was overbearing, very controlling." Jackson made Macaulay godfather to two of this three children, Prince Michael Jr. and Paris Michael.

Recently the Internet buzzed with rumors that Macaulay died but those claims have been quashed now that Macaulay was seen this past weekend at Natalie Portman's wedding to Benjamin Millepied. 

Written for Examiner