Daniel Stern, the actor best known for playing bumbling burglar Marv in the Home Alone films, has been dropped from a forthcoming ABC comedy pilot following a legal citation for allegedly soliciting a prostitute.
The Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The 68-year-old actor was issued a citation on 10 December for a single misdemeanour of engaging or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The incident reportedly took place at a hotel in Camarillo, California. Stern was not arrested or detained at the time.
A hearing for his case is scheduled for 6 February. If convicted, Stern could face a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Career Fallout: Losing a Key Role
Prior to the citation, Stern had been cast as a series regular in the ABC pilot Do You Want Kids?, starring alongside Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel. The show explores the parallel lives of a married couple, one where they have a child and one where they do not.
Stern was set to play Freddy, the gruff patriarch of the Zilbalodis family. However, ABC has confirmed to the Daily Mail that the role is now being recast, effectively dropping Stern from the project.
From Wet Bandit to Tangerine Farmer
Daniel Stern's most iconic role remains Marv Murchins, one half of the 'Wet Bandits' with Joe Pesci's Harry in the first two Home Alone movies. In a 2024 memoir, he revealed he had to negotiate for a higher salary for the sequel after learning his co-star's pay was significantly larger.
His last television appearance was in 2023's For All Mankind, and his most recent film role was in 2019's James vs. His Future Self.
Recently, Stern has stepped away from Hollywood, sharing on TikTok that he now lives on a farm where he grows and juices tangerines. He has also been working on large-scale sculptures, one video of which garnered over 1.6 million views.
The Daily Mail has contacted Daniel Stern for comment on his removal from the ABC comedy.
