A Home Alone star has explained why he will not be attending the movie’s anniversary events.
With Christmas around the corner, many people are getting ready to indulge in holiday films to embrace the festive atmosphere.
Among the classics is a well-loved story about a resourceful underdog who defends against thieves aiming to nab something valuable – and no, it’s not Die Hard.
Daniel Stern, who portrayed Marv in Home Alone, was one-half of the bumbling ‘Wet Bandits’ duo with Harry, played by Joe Pesci. Together, they target Kevin McCallister’s home after he’s accidentally left alone.
Throughout the film, the inept burglars endure various traps set by Kevin, involving stepping on nails, getting irons dropped on them, and even having their heads set ablaze, all in their quest for a sort-of-honest living as minor crooks.
Despite acknowledging the movie as ‘so funny’ and ‘full of heart’, Stern has decided to skip the 35th anniversary celebrations.
Transitioning from acting, he has become an artist and farmer, preferring a quieter life these days.
In an interview with PEOPLE, he shared: “I don’t leave my farm. It’s no offense to the movie. I’m just … a phone call, Zoom call, I’m in. but… I’m a bit of a homebody.”
While pleased with the film’s enduring popularity, Stern finds the attention sometimes overwhelming, despite fans’ positive intentions.
“I love knowing that everybody loves it, but like, actual people come at me and say, ‘We love it’, It’s a little overwhelming sometimes,” he remarked.
At 68, Stern has retired from Hollywood and resides on a California farm with his wife. There, they raise cows, cultivate citrus trees, and he dedicates time to sculpting – a fulfilling life indeed.
Though unaware of its eventual status, Stern recognized early on that Home Alone was something special.
“I did know that it was a gem of a movie,” Stern shared.
“It was so funny, it was so true, and so I did know that. I was hopeful that we were making a great movie. I had no idea obviously – no one could – of the longevity of its life.”