Emmys 2024: What Did Pedro Pascal Really Say About Kieran Culkin?

Viewers of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards may have done a double-take when Pedro Pascal took to the podium to present an award with his arm in a sling. "Before we get to the nominees to the best supporting actor in a drama series, I'd like to take just a second and make this about me," the actor opened with a smirk. "A lot of people have been asking about my arm. It's actually my shoulder, and I think this is the perfect time to tell everyone that Kieran Culkin ..." Pascal started the second part of what was seemingly intended to be a fun dig at the "Succession" star. However, many viewers never got to hear exactly what Pascal claimed Culkin did to him, since the audio was briefly cut. 

As those who got to witness the uncensored version of Pascal's moment can attest, the show ended up muting the punchline for the age-old reason of Pascal using a four-letter word. "I think this is the perfect time to tell everyone that Kieran Culkin beat the s*** out of me," the actor ended his explanation — after which the show treated viewers to a close-up of a stone-faced Culkin staring at Pascal.

The Kieran Culkin-Pedro Pascal moment at the Emmys didn't come entirely out of the blue. On the contrary, it's merely the latest chapter in what's shaping up to be an endearing bromance between two of the hottest actors in Hollywood. At the 2024 Golden Globes, Culkin and Pascal were both nominated for the Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a drama series for their work on "Succession" and "The Last of Us." Culkin won and made sure to reference his colleague in his speech. "Suck it, Pedro," he said as Pascal laughed in the audience. "Sorry, mine."  

Even this wasn't the beginning of the friendly sniping between the pair. In 2023, the actors sat side by side during The Hollywood Reporter's roundtable discussion along with Jeff Bridges, Evan Peters, Michael Imperioli, and Damson Idris. Among the topics discussed, Culkin admitted he didn't think anyone would watch "Succession" when they started filming – and throughout, he and Pascal demonstrated an easy chemistry that at times resembled a seasoned comedy double act. It looks like the two have decided to continue the fun and games throughout the awards season. Judging by how things are going, it may be only a matter of time before someone casts the duo in a project together. 

Both Kieran Culkin and Pedro Pascal were big figures at the 2024 Emmys on and off the stage. Culkin won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his work on the HBO hit "Succession," and while Pascal walked away from the ceremony empty-handed, he had already secured a noteworthy accomplishment by being nominated in three separate categories. The on-stage antics were the icing on the cake, and after the event, the two appeared to continue their joke at an Emmys afterparty. 

About last night. Despite #KieranCulkin beating up #pedropascal, the two got along quite nicely at the HBO party. (If u didn’t watch the Emmys, Pedro joked that Kieran put his arm in a sling) pic.twitter.com/Airso5kr0J

— Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin) January 16, 2024

On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, entertainment journalist Marc Malkin posted a video of Culkin and Pascal meeting up in the crowd at an afterparty. In the video, the two exchange words, and Culkin reaches up to pat Pascal repeatedly on his right shoulder — his injured one. In response, Pascal is seen with an exaggerated expression and saying "Ow" before moving Culkin's tapping hand to his non-sling-bound shoulder. As Malkin wrote, "Despite [Kieran Culkin] beating up [Pedro Pascal], the two got along quite nicely at the HBO party."

In the wake of Pedro Pascal's joke regarding a tussle between himself and Kieran Culkin, fans of the two stars took to social media to share their love for the duo's dynamic.

"The real winner is us witnessing the evolution of the duo that is pedro pascal + kieran culkin honestly #Emmys," wrote @TheRealAlexis on X. Meanwhile, @vinaverdemusic compared their dynamic to some other fan-favorite celebrity friendships, writing, "Kieran Culkin & Pedro Pascal are the new Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman, The Rock & Kevin Hart, Ken Jeong & Joel McHale." @InfamousVicious used their platform to express hope that the decision makers in Hollywood were taking note of the chemistry between Pascal and Culkin. 

Echoing this sentiment with the addition of big and small screen favorite Natasha Lyonne, @snlcarpenter wrote, "put pedro pascal, natasha lyonne, and kieran culkin in a comedy movie together right now." And X user @minikmiyim had just one humble request: "I wish every award season could include kieran culkin and pedro pascal."

Whether they are winning trophies or just razzing each other on stage, we too would like to see more of Pedro Pascal and Kieran Culkin's antics at future award shows.