Why Hollywood legend was paid just £325 to star in Home Alone

One of the biggest names to star in Home Alone was only paid a few hundred pounds, despite the movie's $18 million budget and $476 million box office performance.

Released back in 1990, the Christmas flick stars Macaulay Culkin in the iconic role of Kevin McCallister, who is tasked with defending his home from two rather rubbish thieves looking to steal his family's belongings while they're away in Paris.

Kevin is accidentally left behind while his family jets off to Europe from Chicago, much to the horror of his mother Kate (Catherine O'Hara) and the annoyance of thieves Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).

Directed by Chris Columbus, what comes next is more than 90 minutes of pranks and tomfoolery as Kevin does his best to secure the McCallister mansion from the Wet Bandits.

Away from the goings on in the Chicago suburb where the McCallisters' call home, Kevin's mum Kate flies back to the US on the next available flight.

She ends up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she is told there are zero flights with seats to Chicago.

Out of the blue comes Kate's very own Father Christmas, granting her one wish of getting back to Chicago and to Kevin.

O'Hara and Candy in one of their iconic scenes (20th Century Fox)

In the airport, she meets Gus Polinski, the lead member of a traveling polka band which is on its way to Milwaukee.

Polinksi, played by Hollywood legend John Candy, offers Kate a spot in the back of their crowded and less than luxurious moving van - something she greatly receives.

While not the main man, Candy's supporting role in Home Alone is still substantial. Despite this, and despite his career to date, he was only paid $414 (£325) for his appearance in Home Alone.

Prior to Home Alone, Candy - who is probably best known for 1993's Cool Runnings - appeared in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Armed and Dangerous, Spaceballs, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

The travelling polka band helping Kevin's mum out (20th Century Fox)

The definition of a household name for many, especially those residing in the US.

Candy's time on set lasted for just one day. But why the small fee?

Well, it was basically a favour to a friend.

"He was on the movie for only one day, but it resulted in so much great improvisation," Chris Columbus said in a previous interview. "None of that stuff was in the script.

Candy was paid pennies in comparison to some (20th Century Fox)

"The funeral parlour story – that was all improvised at 4.30 in the morning. We could barely keep a straight face on set just listening to John."

Columbus said there was a 'little resentment' from Candy but that the pay was 'was a deal between him and [writer and producer] John Hughes at the time'.

"We did a movie together after that, Only the Lonely, and there were a couple times on set when he would make a cutting remark about Fox and what he was paid," Columbus said.