Up Next

Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar of The Big Bang Theory earn a quite frankly ridiculous $1 million (£782,000) per episode.

And Macaulay Culkin could have been picking up that pay cheque, had he accepted the role he was chased for.

The former child star has admitted that producers pursued him to be one of the leading actors on The Big Bang Theory, but he repeatedly turned down the opportunity.

Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, the 37-year-old said: ‘I couldn’t see myself doing a sitcom or a television show kind of thing.

‘They pursued me for The Big Bang Theory and I said nah. The way the pitch was it was like, these two astrophysicist nerds and a pretty girl lives with them, yoinks! That was the pitch.

The Big Bang Theory
The cast of The Big Bang Theory earn $1m per episode (Picture: Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images)

‘They were like, we’re going to get some real physicists to do the math and I was like no, I’m cool, thanks. They came back at me again, but again, flattered, no.’

But third time was nearly a charm, with Macaulay continuing: ‘They came back to me again and even my manager was twisting my arm.’

The Home Alone actor doesn’t regret his decision though, saying that while he would have millions of dollars in the bank, he would be ‘banging his head against a wall’ on set.

In fact, Macaulay, who runs the website and podcast Bunny Ears, is pretty much done with acting.

The star said: ‘I don’t pursue it in any way, I don’t have agents. I don’t like the pursuit of it. I don’t like being on the circuit kind of thing. I write a lot, I paint a lot.

‘I have a good life now, I have a special lady friend, we have a dog and a cat. I’m gonna make some babies, this one’s a good one, I’m probably going to put some babies in her in a bit. We’ve definitely been practising.’

Macaulay, who is godfather to Paris Jackson, is in a relationship with former Disney actress Brenda Song.

Got a showbiz story?

If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE : ‘It’s f***ed up, what I did’: Mila Kunis blames herself for split from Macaulay Culkin

MORE : Insatiable stars Alyssa Milano and Debby Ryan hit back as critics slate Netflix’s ‘offensive mess’ of a show