Macaulay Culkin's Cameo In Running Point Explained

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Running Point on Netflix.

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.

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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

Brenda Song As Ali Lee & Kate Hudson As Isla Gordon In Netflix's Running Point Season 1, Episode 3

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.

Running Point Cast	Character
Kate Hudson	Isla Gordon
Drew Tarver	Sandy Gordon
Scott MacArthur	Ness Gordon
Brenda Song	Ali Lee
Fabrizio Guido	Jackie Moreno
Chet Hanks	Travis Bugg
Toby Sandeman	Marcus Winfield
Jay Ellis	Jay Brown
Justin Theroux	Cam Gordon
Max Greenfield	Lev Levenson
Scott Evans	Charlie

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.