12 Days: Michael C. Maronna in Home Alone

'Kevin, you're such a disease.!'

Jeff McCallister, Home Alone

Home Alone has become one of those holiday favorites, a film so many watch each and every year. I remember liking Home Alone when I saw it in the theatre as a kid, but it isn't a movie I would call a favorite. I like the beginning, I like the end, I like the heart tugging moment when the old man next door gets a Christmas visit from his son. But... the middle with Kevin, (Macaulay Culkin) battling the bumbling burglars, was always a little boring to me.

Christmas movie royalty. Culkin with Jimmy Stewart

I always thought Kevin's family was the most interesting part of the movie, and they were only used to set up circumstance and story for Kevin. I would have loved more John Heard and Catherine O'Hara and the rest of the MCallister family. There were a lot of siblings and cousins in Home Alone, and if you only watch once or twice, they most likely all blended together. Gingers usually always stand out to me, and Kevin's older brother Jeff, although only in a few scenes, was noticed by me the first time I watched.

Jeff was played by actor Michael C. Maronna. Home Alone was Michael's first movie and after his time in Home Alone and its sequel, Michael went on to a successful career as a child star for five seasons in Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The show centered on two brothers, both named Pete Wrigley and their family and friends. Michael played one of the Pete's, the other, played by actor Danny Tamberelli. The show became a cult hit for many, and Michael and Danny are still working together, currently in a weekly podcast, The Adventures of Danny and Mike.

Maronna also appeared in a number of other television shows and movies, most notably 40 Days and 40 Nights and Slackers. Although he continued to act, Maronna moved behind the camera, working as an electrician on various TV shows and movies including; Sex And The City, Ugly Betty, Nurse Jackie, The Normal Heart and most recently on the Jennifer Lopez drama, Shades of Blue.

Although still a ginger, I wonder if any of the actors passing by Macronna on set know he was a part of one of Hollywood's biggest hits in the 90's? Most likely not, but if it were me, I would ensure to drop into the conversation with Miss Lopez while setting up the filters for her lighting.

Pete & Pete

Michael, along with sideburns, with Jason Segel and Devon Sawa in Slackers (2002)

Puppety of the Penis