In 2011,Kieran CulkinandMark Ruffalostarred in the psychological dramaMargaret, and while that film went off without a hitch, their time on stage together was a bit of a different story. The two appeared in the Off-Broadway production of James Lapine’sThe Moment Whenback in 1999 when Culkin was just a mischievous 17-year-old, who – as a prank –swapped out Ruffalo’s fake marijuana joint for a real one. Now, 26 years later, theSuccessionstar says he’ll never try that again.
Speaking withThe Guardian, Culkin reflected on the moment, saying that at the time he thought it was a “good prank.” Surprisingly enough, Ruffalo took it all in stride, as did a few others who got in on the actionto puff-puff-pass the joint around, including veteran stage star Phyllis Newman, who sadly passed away in 2019.
“I was 17 and stupid. I’m like, ‘I thought this was a good prank. I’m stupid. Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’ But actually, they loved it. Mark says, ‘I haven’t smoked pot in 10 years. The second half’s going to be so much fun.’ There was this other actor who had never smoked pot in her life. She goes, ‘Is this what being high is? This is lovely.’ And then Phyllis Newman comes in and goes, ‘I haven’t smoked pot since the 1960s. Thank you, darling.'”
Kieran Culkin “Had No Idea” What ‘Home Alone’ Was About, Even After He Saw It
He was only eight, what do you expect?
The group were having a grand time with things and perhaps craving a few snacks when their fun was ruined by a crew member who discovered them all high as a kite. “The stage manager comes stomping in and goes, ‘I don’t care whose it is, or what happened, but Kieran, give me the joint,'” he continued. “I sheepishly handed her the roach and she said, ‘Ruin your life on your own time.’ I know, I know. But I was young. I’m 42 now. I know better. I’m not going to try to get anyone high on stage.”
Mark Ruffalo Got the “Best Reviews” of His Career After Getting High
One would think that smoking a joint would perhaps hinder an actor’s performance, causing him to forget his lines or slur his words. Such was not the case when it came to Ruffalo, who spoke about the incident on theGraham Norton Show(seen above) a few years ago. He said that by the time it was all said and done, he received “some of the best reviews of my career.”
“There was a play that I did where I smoked a joint in the first scene. Of course, there was a very naughty young actor I was in the play with. On the opening night with all the critics, he slipped a real joint onto the prop table […] Between the two of us, we smoked a giant blunt onstage […] But at the end of the play, I got the best reviews of my entire career. But I’d never do that again. It was a nightmare experience.”
We’re glad it all worked out, and that the pair are able to laugh about the experience today. You can currently catch Culkin starring inthe dramedyA Real Pain, which is available on all VOD platforms and will hit Hulu on Jan. 16. Ruffalo is still riding high off the success of 2023’sPoor Things, and will appear next in the sci-fi comedyMickey 17,which is slated to release on March 7.
Succession
