Netflix’s new original series Running Point features a wide variety of talented and famous actors, and surprisingly, Macaulay Culkin is among them. The sports comedy, created by Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, follows Kate Hudson’s Isla Gordon. Isla is a reformed party girl in her thirties who suddenly gains control of her family’s pro basketball team, the Waves. Unfortunately for Hudson’s character in the Netflix comedy, becoming the sole president of the Waves creates many problems in her work and personal life, all of which she isn’t ready for.

Running Point has received praise from critics and fans alike in the wake of its February 2025 release. As of the writing of this article, the show’s Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 82 percent, while its Popcornmeter score is 94 percent.

Throughout Running Point‘s 10 episodes, Culkin only briefly appears in one. The Home Alone actor technically doesn’t have an official role, nor is he a part of the main or supporting cast of Running Point. Culkin simply makes a cameo in the Netflix sports comedy TV series. Nevertheless, it’s certainly unexpected but also quite exciting when Culkin appears on the screen, especially knowing who else stars in the TV show.

Macaulay Culkin Has A Cameo In Running Point Episode 9 As A Heckler

Culkin Appears During The Basketball Game

Macaulay Culkin appears in Running Point season 1, episode 9, “The Playoffs.” Viewers can spot his character (labeled as “Angry Fan” in the end credits) in the crowd during the Waves’ playoff game, sitting in front of Scott Evans as Charlie. When Sandy delays Billie Eilish’s performance of the National Anthem to declare his love for Charlie on the court, Culkin’s character starts heckling and booing him as he is eager to watch Eilish sing. He demands to see Eilish and even comments that “no one cares” about his love life. It only gets worse when Sandy starts singing “Love Story” by Taylor Swift.

Culkin’s character shouts, “At least sing Billie Eilish!” Sandy ignores him, though, and continues playing until Charlie runs down to the court and gets his attention. They kiss, and the crowd cheers. Even the “Angry Fan” claps and smiles and points at the happy couple, seemingly getting over his urgent desire to see Eilish perform the National Anthem in Netflix’s original TV show Running Point.

Why Macaulay Culkin’s Running Point Cameo Makes Sense

Culkin Is Engaged To One Of The Netflix Show’s Stars

Courtesy Of Kat Marcinowski/Netflix 

For those unaware of Macaulay Culkin’s connection to one of Running Point‘s main cast members, his cameo in episode 9 must seem completely random and confusing. However, Culkin’s fiancée is in the cast, which is why he got to be a part of the series. Culkin is engaged to Brenda Song, who plays Ali Lee in Netflix’s new sports comedy, and the couple have two sons together — Dakota Song Culkin, born in April 2021, and Carson Song Culkin, born in December 2022.

Song’s Ali is the best friend of Kate Hudson’s character, Isla Gordon, in Running Point. Ali is also the chief of staff for the Waves, the aforementioned pro basketball team. Unfortunately, Song’s character isn’t around during Culkin’s cameo, meaning they never share the screen in the sports comedy show. If Netflix renews Running Point for a second season, though, perhaps Culkin can return and get a chance to act opposite his fiancée.

How Macaulay Culkin’s Running Point Cameo Ended Up Happening

Culkin Wanted To Do It

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly concerning Running Point, Brenda Song discussed how her fiancé’s cameo in episode 9 came to be. According to the actress, Culkin was the one who got the ball rolling concerning his appearance in the Netflix sports comedy. Song explained:

“He pitched himself. It was meant to just be him in the back of a scene as an Easter egg for us. He was on set and joking about how he wanted to be thrown into the audience — not say anything, just be in the background, and we just never address it. And then, of course, it slowly snowballed.”

At first, Culkin’s surprising cameo was meant to be silent. However, as those who have watched until the end of Running Point know, the actor’s appearance involves a handful of lines. Mostly, Culkin’s character, “Angry Fan,” expresses his frustration with having to watch Sandy sing “Love Story” instead of seeing Billie Eilish perform the National Anthem. He yells that he doesn’t care about Sandy’s love declaration, and repeatedly asks about Eilish’s whereabouts. Eventually, “Angry Fan” comes around and claps for Sandy and Charlie’s romantic reunion in Running Point season 1, episode 9.

The show’s a hit—77% Tomatometer, 95% Popcornmeter, third on Netflix’s Top 10 by March 9, 2025—and Season 2’s locked (announced March 6). Could Culkin return? Song’s coy—“Fingers crossed,” she told Just Jared—but their screen time’s never overlapped (Dollface kept them apart too). A Waves fan reprisal—maybe raging at another delay—could pair them, though Culkin’s cameo feels like a one-off gag. “It was for us,” Song said, framing it as their private wink, not a plot pivot. Kaling’s crew leaned into it—Buss and Linda Rambis, Lakers execs on board, greenlit the spontaneity—and it fits Running Point’s loose, quirky vibe. “Ang ganda ganda ni Brenda Song,” an X post raved, tying her shine to Culkin’s pop-up.

Context matters. Culkin’s not the kid star anymore—44, sober, a dad, he’s chasing quirky over blockbuster. Running Point’s his lane: offbeat, low-stakes, tied to Song. Their story—meeting via Seth Green, building a family—grounds this lark. “He supports me unconditionally,” Song told Vanity Fair, and his set visits prove it. But it’s not Home Alone—no Kevin heroics, just a grumpy fan. Some X posts see romance: “Brenda and Macaulay, that’s goals.” Others see a gimmick: “Random as hell—why him?” Compare Chet Hanks’ meaty role—Travis mirrors his rap past—and Culkin’s feels thin. Yet it works—short, sharp, a buzz-builder for a show already renewed.

Will it stick? Running Point’s 9.3 million debut views and Top 10 climb say yes—Hudson, Song, and a stacked cast (Theroux, Tarver, Ellis) carry it. Culkin’s cameo’s a cherry, not the pie—fun for fans, a gift for Song, a headline for Netflix. “He pitched himself,” Song laughed, and that DIY spirit’s the charm. Season 2 might tweak the recipe—more Ali, maybe more Angry Fan—but for now, it’s a win. Culkin’s not stealing the show; he’s spiking it. Love it or loathe it, his “Where’s Billie Eilish?!” rant’s a 2025 moment—proof he’s still got chaos in the tank, and Song’s his MVP. Binge it, spot him, argue it—Running Point just got a little louder.