director Chris Columbus has finally put an age-old debate to rest. In a new episode of podcast, the filmmaker shared some behind-the-scenes stories of making the Christmas classic, including how he cast , and finally answered the question anyone who’s seen has been wondering for years: What did the McCallister parents do for a living to be able to afford that gigantic house in Chicago? “Back then, John [Hughes] and I had a conversation about it, and we decided on what the jobs were,” Columbus said, referring to conversations he had with the film’s producer. He explained that Catherine O’Hara’s character, forgetful matriarch Kate McCallister “was a very successful fashion designer” as seen by the mannequins in the family’s basement.
Meanwhile, he admitted that things were a little bit murkier for Jon Heard’s Peter McCallister. “The father could have, based on John Hughes’ own experience, worked in advertising,” Columbus said. “But I don’t remember what the father did.
” The director did put an internet theory to rest though, and denied that the McCallisters were involved in organized crime that drew burglars Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) to their home in the first place. “Not organized crime,” Columbus clarified. “Even though there was, at the time, a lot of organized crime in Chicago.
” Columbus also revealed how he came to cast a young Culkin in the iconic role of Kevin McCallister sharing, “This is why John Hughes was a gr.
