How Kieran Culkin Met His Wife Jazz Charton (Spoiler Alert: It’s a Hilarious Story)

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Like his famous brothers, 39-year-old Kieran Culkin is well known for playing brutally honest characters with impeccable, deadpan comedic timing (see: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Igby Goes Down).

Even his role as Roman in Succession displays Culkin’s perfect ability to toe the line between “the worst” and “the best” — you love to hate him, but can’t help loving him at least a little.

Kieran Culkin has starred as Roman Roy in the HBO television series Succession since 2018Kieran Culkin has starred as Roman Roy in the HBO television series Succession since 2018 (Credit: HBO)

However, it turns out that Kieran Culkin himself may be more like his on-screen characters than we may have thought, especially when you consider the hilarious (and mildly offensive) way he met his wife, Jazz Charton.

Here’s everything you need to know about how they met and what led up to that fateful day.

Before Jazz Charton, Kieran Culkin dated a bevy of beautiful women

Though his pickup lines certainly need work, they have definitely been working.

Though Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton have been together since 2012, Culkin has had two other high-profile relationships with absolutely gorgeous women.

Kieran Culkin and his wife Jazz Charton arrive at the 77th Annual Golden Globe AwardsKieran Culkin and his wife Jazz Charton arrive at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 5, 2020 (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

Ages ago, in the early 2000s, Kieran Culkin was linked to fellow child star Anna Paquin (The Piano, Almost Famous, True Blood).

They starred together in an off-Broadway production of a play called After Ashley in 2005 and were seen out and about together looking relatively cozy a number of times between 2005 and 2006.

However, both actors like their privacy, and neither directly confirmed the relationship in the press.

Anna Paquin and Kieran Culkin met while starring in an Off-Broadway production and dated from 2005 to 2006Anna Paquin and Kieran Culkin met while starring in an Off-Broadway production and dated from 2005 to 2006 (Credit: Albert Ferreira / Startraksphoto)

Years later in 2010, sparks flew between Kieran Culkin and Emma Stone (La La Land, Superbad, Zombieland).

They met on the set of the 2009 American independent comedy-drama film Paper Man. They also starred together in the 2013 American anthology comedy Movie 43.

Like his other relationships, they were mum about the fact they were dating, as a source told Daily News at the time: “They took a few pictures together with other castmates and chatted briefly, but you’d never think they were a couple.”

Kieran Culkin as Neil and Emma Stone as Veronica in the 2013 American anthology comedy film Movie 43Kieran Culkin as Neil and Emma Stone as Veronica in the 2013 American anthology comedy film Movie 43 (Credit: Relativity Media)

Their relationship didn’t last, though. By 2011, Stone and Culkin had split. Stone began dating her Spider-Man co-star, Andrew Garfield, which left Culkin open to meet his now-wife.

Kieran Culkin insulted his now-wife, Jazz Charton, the first time they met

Late in 2012, Jazz Charton was enjoying the weekend at a bar in New York City after working at her job in the music department of an ad agency, when she caught the eye of none other than Kieran Culkin.

As he tells iNews, he thought Charton was “this most beautiful girl” and couldn’t help but introduce himself, even though she was at the bar with another man. When the man got up to go to the bathroom, Culkin swooped in and took his seat to be closer to her.

Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton met at a bar in 2012 and married in 2013Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton met at a bar in 2012 and married in 2013 (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)

“I said, ‘I’m Kieran. You have an English accent. What’s your name?’ She said, ‘Jazz.’ And I said, ‘J-A-Z-Z, like the music?’ And she said, ‘Yeah.’ And I said, ‘Well that’s f*cking stupid,’” Culkin recalls, laughing.

Luckily, Charton wasn’t too offended by (what we’re assuming was) Culkin’s alcohol-fueled insult, and the two began to hit it off.

“I asked if [the guy in the bathroom] was her boyfriend, and when she said no, I asked if I could be her boyfriend,” Culkin tells iNews. “We’ve been together ever since.”

Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton kissing on the red carpetKieran Culkin and Jazz Charton kissing on the red carpet (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Even though we love him, we would have told Kieran Culkin to scram after making fun of our names! Still, we’re glad Jazz Charton didn’t, because that is one heck of a meet-cute story!

Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton keep their private lives under wraps

Culkin has always been open about his desire to avoid the pitfalls of being a celebrity, telling Vanity Fair that fame is “not a nice thing.”

“I think well-adjusted, smart people that experience it first or secondhand would not pursue [being famous],” he continues. “I’ll totally take personal happiness over success, absolutely. If I’m miserable, then what’s the f*cking point?”

He and his wife certainly have taken those words to heart.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by ᴊᴀᴢᴢ ᴄʜᴀʀᴛᴏɴ (@jazzcharton)

After tying the knot in a low-key secret ceremony on the side of an Iowan road during a storm in 2013, they welcomed two children, Kinsey Sioux and Wilder Wolf — keeping both births secret until months later.

Luckily, Jazz Charton shares a bit more than her recluse of a husband, and you can see plenty of swoon-worthy photos of their love and family in action on her Instagram page.

Move Over, Macaulay: Kieran Culkin’s Career and Sibling Relationships

Of course, when you hear the name “Culkin” the first thing that comes to mind is Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone.

Now, younger brother Kieran Culkin’s success may change that a bit — not to mention the many fantastic roles from the baby of the family, Rory Culkin (Lords of Chaos, Under the Banner of Heaven).

Kieran Culkin as Kevin's youngest cousin Fuller and Anna Slotky as Kevin's younger cousin Brook in the 1990 American Christmas comedy film Home AloneKieran Culkin as Kevin’s youngest cousin Fuller and Anna Slotky as Kevin’s younger cousin Brook in the 1990 American Christmas comedy film Home Alone (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

What you may not know is that Kieran Culkin starred alongside his brother in both Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, playing his younger cousin (on-screen and in real life!) Fuller McCallister.

Even through all of the drama surrounding Macaulay’s struggle with drug addiction and Kieran’s rise to fame, the brothers have remained close — even if Mack said that Rory is his “favorite” brother.

Kieran Culkin broke out from under his brother’s shadow

It can be difficult for siblings of a child star. During the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin’s face was everywhere, but that didn’t stop Kieran from forging his own path.

In fact, he found success at a young age, nominated for a Young Artist Award for his role of Matty Banks in Father of the Bride in 1991.

Macaulay Culkin with his girlfriend Mila Kunis and his brother Kieran Culkin in New York CityMacaulay Culkin with his girlfriend Mila Kunis and his brother Kieran Culkin in New York City on June 16, 2004 (Credit: Alan David / Startraksphoto)

Since then, Kieran Culkin has managed to pick up a number of high profile roles in film and television, including titles like: She’s All That, The Cider House Rules, Igby Goes Down, Paper Man, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Succession.

In fact, Kieran Culkin boasts a healthy estimated net worth of $5 million this year, just trailing behind his brother Mack, who sits at $18 million (Rory’s estimated net worth is only $1.5 million, but his brothers don’t judge).

Kieran Culkin gets along with all of his brothers

The spotlight can tear families apart, but not the Culkins! Though they’ve lost their sisters Jennifer and Dakota, Macaulay, Kieran, Rory, and their siblings who stay out of the limelight, Shane and Quinn, remain close.

Kieran Kyle Culkin with his younger brother Rory Hugh Culkin at the premiere of "Igby Goes Down"Kieran Kyle Culkin with his younger brother Rory Hugh Culkin at the premiere of “Igby Goes Down” at Chelsea West Theatres in New York City on September 5, 2002 (Credit: INFGoff)

Kieran and big brother Mack have children that are close in age, and Kieran’s wife Jazz Charton has said they often have playdates

Kieran Culkin told Entertainment Tonight that he’s even open to working with his brothers on his current project, Succession—though the interviewer framed the question like they were hoping Kieran would balk—and the actor seemed legitimately excited about the thought, saying, “That would be cool, wouldn’t it? I would love to see that. Why wouldn’t I be game? That sounds fun!”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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