The Story Behind the ‘Home Alone’ House
Fans of the iconic film “Home Alone” may have often wondered: what if those walls could talk? John Abendshien, who owned the brick Georgian-style home in Winnetka, Illinois, during the filming of the 1990 Christmas classic, has finally shared some behind-the-scenes secrets. His book, “Home But Alone No More,” offers a glimpse into the real-life experiences of living in the house that became a symbol of holiday nostalgia.
A Home Transformed for Film
The home was not only used for exterior shots but also for several interior scenes. While some of the interiors were filmed on a soundstage at a nearby high school, the Abendshien residence was transformed for the movie. Green and red wallpaper attached to foamboard adorned the walls, and the production added a furnace that haunted Kevin’s dreams. Abendshien recalls that their actual basement had an old, vintage boiler that looked quite boring in comparison.
During the filming, Abendshien and his family stayed in the house. This allowed him to interact with the actors, including Catherine O’Hara, who played Kevin’s mom, Kate. According to Abendshien, O’Hara was the quintessential mom off-camera and bonded with his young daughter. Daniel Stern, who played one of the burglars, entertained Lauren and neighborhood children with his rubber duck feet, which were used in the scene where he steps through a window.
Macaulay Culkin: A Serious Young Actor
Abendshien found Macaulay Culkin, who was just 9 years old at the time, impressive. He notes that while Culkin came across as whimsical on screen, he was very serious about his lines. Culkin’s timing was perfect, and he even added spontaneity to some scenes, such as the iconic post-aftershave scream. Off camera, Culkin was just like the little kid next door, scampering around the house. Despite being scripted as enemies, Culkin and Devin Ratray, who played Kevin’s older brother Buzz, were good friends. They often completed their required studies with Kieran Culkin, Macaulay’s real-life brother, who played Kevin’s cousin Fuller.
Financial Aspects of the Filming
Abendshien did not get rich from “Home Alone” or its sequel. For the first film, he received around $65,000 for the 14 weeks of filming at his family’s residence. When filmmakers approached him for the 1992 sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” he felt insulted by the offer, which was less than $5,000. Abendshien believed the property was too valuable for such a low rate and countered with an offer of around $15,000 for the one-day shoot. In the end, he and the studio agreed on a fee of $15,000 to be donated to a shelter for unhoused women and children in Chicago.
A Surprise Visit from Michael Jackson
During the filming of “Home Alone 2,” Michael Jackson made an unexpected visit to Abendshien’s home to see Culkin. The actor and Jackson became friends despite a 22-year age gap. While Culkin was occupied with filming, Abendshien was asked to entertain Jackson. For over an hour, Abendshien hosted Jackson in his study. Though he felt nervous, he managed to have a formal conversation. Jackson asked Abendshien to keep quiet about his visit, but the pop icon’s appearance eventually made news. Around 4 a.m., Jackson called Abendshien, expressing concern that he had shared the information.
Souvenirs and Memories
Despite the film’s success, Abendshien does not have many mementos from the shoot. He declined an offer to keep the lawn jockey that was hit multiple times by visitors and had production remove Kevin’s treehouse. He believed it posed a legal risk due to potential “attractive nuisance.” Abendshien also did not take any photos or scripts, as he was skeptical about the film’s success.
Ownership and Renovations
Abendshien and his ex-wife Cynthia Demps owned the house until 2012, when they decided to move to a smaller space. The property was listed for $2.1 million and sold for $1.6 million. The new buyers added more than 5,000 square feet, creating a gym, indoor sports court, and theater room. The total square footage of the house, which now has 5 bedrooms and 6 baths, reached 9,126. The property was sold again in January 2025 for $5.5 million, $250,000 over the asking price.
