Daniel Stern, the actor best known for his role as the bumbling burglar Marv in the classic Christmas film Home Alone, has been cited for allegedly soliciting a prostitute, according to US reports.
The Alleged Incident and Legal Ramifications
US media outlet TMZ reports that the 68-year-old actor was "ticketed" on December 10 last year following an alleged incident at a hotel in California. Stern was not arrested, but in the state of California, such a citation is classified as a misdemeanour.
If convicted, the former Hollywood star could face a sentence of up to six months in prison or a fine of $1,000. Representatives for Daniel Stern have not yet issued any public comment regarding the allegation.
A Life Away from the Hollywood Spotlight
Stern, who played Marv alongside Joe Pesci's Harry in the Home Alone films, has largely stepped away from fame since the franchise's success. He has been married to his wife, Laure Mattos, since 1980, and the couple have three children together.
He now focuses on a career as an artist and sculptor, living in Ventura and raising cattle. In a recent twist of fate linked to his iconic role, Stern revealed on Christmas Eve that he had been commissioned by the owners of the famous Home Alone house to create a sculpture.
"I'm creating a sculpture of me and the spider," he said, referencing one of Marv's most memorable scenes where he is attacked by a tarantula.
Enduring Legacy and Fan Scrutiny of Home Alone
The news emerges as Home Alone continues to be a festive television staple for families across the UK and beyond since its 1990 release. The film's enduring popularity often leads fans to scrutinise its plot details.
Recently, a social media user pointed out several perceived plot holes that have sparked discussion online. These included questions about how the young protagonist, Kevin McCallister, managed to order a pizza during a supposed phone line outage and why he never called the police.
The casting of the film has also been a topic of interest. It has been reported that Robert De Niro was initially considered for the role of Harry, which eventually went to Joe Pesci. Comedian Jon Lovitz also reportedly passed on the role, later expressing regret as the film became "the biggest comedy of all time."
The Mirror has approached a spokesperson for Daniel Stern for further comment on the recent citation.
