What happened to Dakota Culkin? Succession star Kieran Culkin opens up about the grief of losing his sister

Kieran Culkin, known for his role as Roman Roy on HBO's Succession, recently spoke about the lasting impact of losing his sister, Dakota Culkin, who died in a tragic traffic accident in 2008. In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning published on November 3, Kieran shared that losing her hasn't been easier.

“Losing one of my favorite people in the world, it doesn't get better. It doesn't get easier, but you get used to it.”

Dakota, affectionately known as "Cody" by her family, was struck by a car while walking along Lincoln Boulevard in Marina del Rey, California, and passed away at the age of 29. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to severe head injuries shortly after. The driver was not under the influence, and the accident was ruled unintentional.

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Kieran Culkin shares the lasting impact of his sister Dakota’s death

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In the recent interview, Kieran Culkin spoke candidly about the profound loss he feels over his sister’s death, describing it as "losing a big piece of myself." He explained that growing up as one of seven siblings created a "wolf-pack" mentality among the Culkins, making Dakota’s absence even harder to cope with.

“I only knew who I was because of who my siblings are. So, to lose one was losing a big piece of myself.”

Kieran Culkin also reflected on how his bond with Dakota has influenced his character on Succession. While playing the sharp-witted and emotionally complex Roman Roy, Kieran noted that some of the character’s humor reminds him of Dakota.

“After a couple seasons, I realized there was some stuff that Roman did that I was like, ‘Oh, that's my sister. That was her sense of humor.’ She could find exactly what the right thing to make fun of you was that would get to you, but be really funny and make the room laugh. That was her.”

In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he shared that certain lines and mannerisms in Roman’s portrayal, especially his ability to tease his on-screen siblings in a playful yet biting way, came from memories of Dakota’s sense of humor.

According to the THR report, season 3 of Succession features a scene where, during an argument with his on-screen sister Shiv (played by Sarak Snook), Kieran Culkin’s Roman goes, "Dur-dur-dur-dur-durrr!"

“That's hers. That's just Cody's move. You could never get one up on her because, even if she was wrong — 'Dur-dur-dur-dur-durrr!' — then she wins the argument. Cody is pretty Roman-y. It's as if Roman were portrayed by Darlene from Roseanne. Darlene Connor as Roman Roy.”

Beyond the screen, Dakota’s memory lives on within the Culkin family. Kieran’s older brother, actor Macaulay Culkin, named his first child Dakota in her honor when he welcomed a son with actress Brenda Song in April 2021.

Kieran Culkin admits that grief is a process he is still coming to terms with. He explained in The Hollywood Reporter interview that sometimes he finds himself overcome with emotion, whether from recalling a funny memory or realizing that his children will never know their aunt.

“I accepted at the time that this is going to be forever. I still weep about it out of nowhere. Something funny she did will pop in the head and make me laugh, and then I’m weeping. Sometimes it’s knowing that she’s not going to meet my kids and they don’t get to have her, and it’s hard to describe what she was like.”

Kieran Culkin's portrayal of Roman on Succession has earned him critical acclaim and fan admiration, with many recognizing the authenticity and depth he brings to the role. As the series concluded in 2023, he reflected on how his sister’s influence allowed him to bring a personal layer to the character, honoring her in a subtle yet meaningful way.