‘Home Alone’ star Daniel Stern cited by police in alleged prostitution sting
The alleged incident occurred over the Christmas period, when the hit franchise marked its 35th anniversary
by Poppy Burton · NMEDaniel Stern, best known for his role as Marv in the Home Alone franchise, was cited by police in connection with an alleged prostitution sting.
According to a report from TMZ, the actor was cited by law enforcement in California’s Ventura County last month (December 10) during an alleged sting operation at a hotel in Camarillo.
Law enforcement sources told the outlet that Stern was issued a citation for soliciting prostitution but was not arrested, booked, or taken into custody. Stern has not publicly commented on the allegation.
A citation does not carry the same legal weight as an arrest, and it remains unclear as of the time of writing whether prosecutors will file formal charges. Authorities have not announced whether the case will proceed or be dismissed, and no court date has been scheduled.
Stern has kept a relatively low public profile in recent years, and notably did not attend any events connected to the 35th anniversary of Home Alone last month. Speaking to People at the time, he explained his absence by saying: “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.”
His co-star Macaulay Culkin spoke to Deadline about how it felt to star in the iconic Christmas movie on the eve of the anniversary, and said he was still struck by the reception from fans decades on from its initial release. “I’m 45 now,” he said. “And for other 45-year-olds out there, it’s nostalgic. But now they’re showing their kids the same way that I show it to my kids.”
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As for how his two boys respond to seeing their dad on screen, he joked: “Man, they have no idea who they’re sitting next to, the entire time. They just go, ‘Oh, there’s Kevin.’ They call him Kevin Disney, because of Disney+, which shows the little holiday trailer.”
He went on to say he’d looked over some old family photos with his eldest son recently, and he had immediately gravitated toward a photo of a young Culkin. “He goes, ‘Hey, that kid looks like Kevin. Who is that?’
In recent years, he has embraced the nostalgia surrounding Home Alone, even appearing in Google ads paying homage to his role.