Macaulay Culkin Reveals ‘My Girl’ Bee Scene Used Thousands of Real Bees

Macaulay Culkin recounts the harrowing production of his most traumatic scene at age 10. Thousands of live bees swarmed him for authenticity in the 1991 coming-of-age drama. The sequence depicts his character Thomas J. dying from anaphylactic shock after an allergic reaction.

Culkin appeared on the podcast ‘On Film… with Kevin McCarthy’ to discuss the film’s legacy. He describes producers releasing the insects directly onto him during multiple takes. A bee handler applied queen bee pheromone to his fingertips, drawing the swarm to his hands rather than his face.

The method ensured realistic visuals but carried genuine risk. Culkin, allergic to everything in the story’s lore, relied on the scent to avoid stings. Directors instructed him to wave his hands for camera-friendly shots, capturing the chaos without protective barriers.

Post-take protocols involved immediate hot soapy water rinses followed by retreats into nearby woods. Culkin notes modern child labor laws and safety standards would prohibit such practices. The scene’s emotional weight stems from its raw peril, amplifying Thomas’s innocence against inevitable tragedy.

‘My Girl’ grossed $59 million domestically on a $9 million budget, earning praise for its honest portrayal of grief. Culkin and co-star Anna Chlumsky, then 11, shared on-screen chemistry that defined the film’s heart. Director Howard Zieff balanced whimsy with loss, drawing from his ‘Private Benjamin’ experience.

The bee sequence clocks at 4 minutes and 12 seconds, intercutting Thomas’s collapse with Vada’s oblivious play. Production filmed in Pennsylvania’s North Fork region, utilizing local apiaries for the swarm. No digital effects augmented the insects, predating CGI ubiquity.

Culkin’s disclosure revives debates on 1990s child acting ethics. SAG-AFTRA guidelines now mandate intimacy coordinators and safety officers for hazardous stunts. The actor, now 45, reflects on the era’s lax oversight without bitterness, crediting it for his early resilience.

Thomas’s arc spans 12 scenes across the 102-minute runtime, evolving from bespectacled tag-along to poignant catalyst. Chlumsky’s Vada confronts mortality through his demise, a pivot that propelled her to ‘Veep’ acclaim. Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis anchor the adult ensemble as flawed guardians.

Revived interest coincides with ‘My Girl’s 35th anniversary Blu-ray reissue in October 2025. Bonus features include Zieff’s commentary, omitted from prior DVDs. Culkin’s podcast episode streams on all platforms, amassing 50,000 downloads in 24 hours.

The revelation underscores evolving industry protections post-#MeToo and streaming accountability. Culkin’s career rebounded with ‘American Horror Story’ in 2023, earning an Emmy nod. He advocates for archival transparency in child performer memoirs.

Fans on platforms like Reddit’s r/ClassicMovies thread dissect the scene’s impact, with 2,000 upvotes. Comments highlight its role in normalizing discussions of allergies and loss for young viewers. The film’s script, by Laurice Elehwany, drew from real Pennsylvania summers.

Culkin’s hands-on exposure contrasts with today’s VFX-heavy alternatives. Industrial Light & Magic could replicate the swarm in post-production today. Yet the original’s tactility contributes to its enduring authenticity.

This anecdote positions ‘My Girl’ as a touchstone for 1990s nostalgia. Culkin’s Home Alone fame amplified its reach, grossing $476 million worldwide. The bee scene remains a rite-of-passage gut-punch, cementing the duo’s legacy.