Introduction

In a shocking revelation that has hilariously resurfaced, Kieran Culkin has come forward to confess that he was the "naughty young actor" who got Mark Ruffalo high during a stage play years ago. This amusing anecdote dates back to Culkin’s youthful days as a 17-year-old actor in the 2000 production of James Lapine’s The Moment When, staged at Playwrights Horizons.

The Prank

It all started when Ruffalo disclosed during a 2012 interview that a mischievous co-star had swapped out a prop joint for the real deal during an important performance. "I was 17 and stupid," Culkin admitted in an interview with The Guardian. The prank was born from a desire to have a little fun backstage, where Culkin found a stash of prop joints and couldn’t resist the temptation to replace one just before the show.

The Dilemma

Months later, while watching Ruffalo smoke the illicit joint and pass it along to their co-star, Culkin faced an urgent moral dilemma. "Uh-oh, I believe it’s happened," he recalled, humorously cringing at the realization of his prank. The subsequent intermission provided a moment of truth, as Culkin sheepishly confessed to his castmates about the mix-up. Surprisingly, they all took it in stride, with Ruffalo laughing and stating, "I haven’t smoked pot in 10 years; the second half’s going to be so much fun."

The Reactions

But the hilarity didn't stop there. Another actress, who had never experienced being high before, chimed in with her delight, saying, "Is this what being high is? This is lovely." Even veteran actress Phyllis Newman got in on the fun, gracefully thanking Culkin for the nostalgia of being high since the 1960s.

The Consequence

The stage manager, however, wasn’t amused when she stormed in demanding the offending joint. Culkin described his embarrassment as he handed over the roach: "Ruin your life on your own time," she instructed him sternly.

Reflection

Reflecting on the incident years later at the age of 42, Culkin recognized the gravity of his actions, saying, "I know better now. I’m not going to try to get anyone high on stage."

Ruffalo's Memory

Ruffalo, who reminisced about the ordeal on The Graham Norton Show, added that while he typically kept things in moderation during social gatherings, the live performance setting had him feeling overstuffed with the good stuff. "Between the two of us, we smoked a giant blunt on stage," he recalled, laughing.

Conclusion

Despite the comical chaos, the antics seemed to work out for Ruffalo as he received glowing reviews for his performance that night, marking it as one of the best moments of his career. This incident serves as a quirky reminder of how the unpredictability of live theater can lead to unforgettable stories and laugh-out-loud moments. Who knew that a little mischief could create such a legendary tale in Hollywood?