MACAULAY CULKIN is happy to be acting again - and this time he's not going to let himself be influenced by the bad side of stardom.

The HOME ALONE star is currently taking centre stage in London's West End, starring in MADAME MELVILLE. The reclusive star has been out of the limelight for six years -because he admits fame got too much for him.

He explains, "I basically got to a part in my life where I didn't want to do it anymore. Once I got to that stage I had a choice and the freedom I didn't want to do it anymore. It hasn't been that difficult to stay away" Despite splitting from his wife RACHEL MINER and once being the highest paid child star in history, Culkin says his comeback is now on his terms. He adds, "I became a senior in high school and people said, 'Do you want to get back into this? This would be in your way and on your terms and it would be nothing like it was before.' That's why it all kind of happened."

And now Culkin says he just wants to concentrate on being a serious actor, "I'm just looking to do good things with good people. I'm just doing my thing and that's what it's all about."(MB/WNV/RGS)

Source: WENN