Kieran Culkin is having the time of his life, especially at awards shows. But he admits they used to be a nightmare.
The Successionstar spoke to ET's Nischelle Turner on the red carpet at the 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday from L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, and he explained why now he's enjoying the limelight during this busy awards season, not just for him but for the rest of his co-stars as well.
"If not, it's a nightmare," he admits to ET about looking like he's having a blast these days. "Because it used to be when I did this -- because I haven't done this a long time -- I think when I was, it was a terror and a nightmare. And I had to adjust to it being fun. And the fact that I'm here, the show that I actually love, working with people that I really love."
It's a big year for the 41-year-old actor, who is up for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama series for his role as Roman Roy on the hit HBO series. It's a bittersweet feeling, given he's going up against co-stars Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong in the same category. The three noms in in that category marked a first in Emmy history.
The show itself closed out its four-season run with an impressive 27 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. Succession tied its own record for the most acting nominations in a single year with a total of 14. This is Culkin's third Emmy nomination. If third time's the charm, Culkin will feel a bit awkward about one particular aspect of the pomp and circumstance.
"It's weird to say this, but when you're given, like, a fake award that you then -- I mean, I say fake because they give it to you as a prop. It's like, this isn't your actual thing?! But pose with it in front of these pictures. It feels weird," he says. "I'm like, ew, and they're like, raise it over your head. I'm like, 'No, it's awkward.' But when I get to do it with like Sarah Snook or Matthew Macfadyen then it's like, 'Guys, this is a weird, stupid thing we're doing. Isn't this great?!'"
Either way, it's a blast.
"Yeah. And it is fun," he says. "It becomes fun then."
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, originally set to take place last September, was postponed due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Hosted by Anthony Anderson at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony will air live Monday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. PT, 8 p.m. ET on Fox, and will be streamed Tuesday, Jan. 16 on Hulu. Keep checking ETonline.com for complete Emmys coverage and for the full winners' list.
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