AceShowbiz - Kieran Culkin, known for his role in "Succession," recently opened up about a reckless prank that he played on Mark Ruffalo during a 2000 production of James Lapine's play "The Moment When". In an interview with The Guardian, Culkin, now 42, reminisced about the time he swapped a prop joint for real weed.

At just 17 years old at the time, Culkin was enthusiastic yet "stupid," thinking the prank would be a light-hearted joke. However, he was immediately hit with a wave of regret once the pungent smell of marijuana filled the stage, leaving the entire cast high. "I'm like, 'I thought this was a good prank. I'm stupid. Oh my God, I'm so sorry'," Culkin revealed.

As it turned out, his fellow actors appreciated the unexpected buzz. Ruffalo, who hadn't smoked pot in a decade, cheerfully remarked, "I haven't smoked pot in 10 years; the second half's going to be so much fun." Another actor, trying marijuana for the first time, exclaimed, "Is this what being high is? This is lovely." Veteran actress Phyllis Newman added with nostalgia, "I haven't smoked pot since the 1960s. Thank you, darling."

Not everyone was amused, though. Understandably, it was a crucial time for them because it's the play's opening night and a lot of critics showed up. The stage manager sternly confronted Culkin, confiscating the joint and advising him to "ruin your life on your own time."

Years later, while performing in Kenneth Lonergan's "This Is Our Youth" alongside Colin Hanks, Culkin jokingly hinted at repeating the prank. Hanks' initial reaction was less than enthusiastic, warning, "If you ever do something like that, I swear to God, I'm going to punch you in the face."

Yet, as the show's run neared its end, Hanks appeared more tolerant - or perhaps curious. Culkin took the opportunity to hand him a real joint one night. Hanks looked excited at first, but nerves quickly got the better of him. With shaking hands, he failed to roll the joint properly, causing it to fall apart. Fortunately, a fake pre-rolled joint saved the performance.

The consequences of youthful exuberance can be amusing and educational. While reflecting on his past, Culkin assures, "I'm 42 now. I know better. I'm not going to try to get anyone high on stage."

Ruffalo also shared his perspective on the incident during a 2020 appearance on "The Graham Norton Show". Without naming Culkin, he noted, "There was a very naughty young actor I was in the play with, who on the opening night with all the critics, he slipped a real joint onto the prop table."

Despite Ruffalo advising against such pranks, he humorously acknowledged, "I got the best reviews of my entire career."

Both fun and folly, Culkin's antics serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live theater - and the thin line between humor and hazard.