Kieran Culkin’s wife promised him four kids if he won an Oscar—well, he just did

Some actors use their Oscars acceptance speech to thank their directors, their agents, or even their childhood acting coach. Kieran Culkin, however, used his big moment to remind his wife, Jazz Charton, about a very important family deal—one that might mean a lot more diaper duty in their future.

After winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, Culkin took the stage and made sure the world knew that his wife was the real MVP.

“I have to thank my wife Jazz for absolutely everything—for giving me my favorite people in the world,” he said, referring to their two children, daughter Kinsey Sioux, 4, and son Wilder Wolf, 2.

And then, in true Kieran Culkin fashion, he turned his speech into an inside joke that just so happened to have major parenting implications.

“About a year ago, I was on a stage just like this and I very stupidly, publicly said that I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award she would give me the kid,” he shared. “Turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was going to win.”

The camera cut to Charton in the audience, smiling, nodding, and mouthing, “It’s true.”

Culkin continued, doubling down on their behind-the-scenes negotiations:

“I think it got to her, but anyway,” he said. “After the show, we’re walking through a parking lot, she’s holding the Emmy, we’re trying to find our car … and she goes, ‘Oh god, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid.’ And I turned to her and I said, ‘Really, I want four.’”

Related: What saved me in the early stages of having 4 children under 4

That’s when Charton, very confidently, made what she probably thought was a safe bet:

“And she turned to me—I swear to god this happened, it was just over a year ago—she said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar.’”

Well, here we are.

“I held my hand out, she shook it, and I have not brought it up once until just now,” Culkin said, before delivering the ultimate mic-drop moment:

“Remember that, honey? You do? Then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith: No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say?”

Culkin’s quip was playful, but it also raises a thought-provoking question: When it comes to major life choices like growing a family, how do partners truly navigate those conversations? Jazz Charton may have laughed it off, but public declarations—especially on a stage as big as the Oscars—can add unexpected weight to an already complex decision.

Related: Thinking about having another child? 5 things to consider

In many relationships, discussions about expanding a family can be lighthearted, but behind them lies the very real weight of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and daily caregiving—often carried unequally. It’s easy to laugh at Culkin’s speech, but it also highlights the ongoing, and often uneven, conversations around family planning and the division of parenting responsibilities.

Whether or not the Culkin household expands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jazz Charton is an incredibly good sport about her husband turning their private conversations into awards-show gold.