Outline:
Actor Daniel Stern’s Role in “Do You Want Kids?” Recast
Daniel Stern, known for his iconic role as Marv in the “Home Alone” films, will no longer be part of ABC’s new comedy pilot titled Do You Want Kids? The actor’s role has been recast following his recent legal troubles. Stern was officially charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution, according to reports from Entertainment Weekly.
This development comes after Deadline first broke the news. Prosecutors in Ventura County, California, allege that the incident occurred on December 10 at a hotel in Camarillo. Stern’s arraignment is scheduled for February 6, as reported by TMZ.
The planned TV series is a single-camera comedy that explores the lives of a couple in two different realities—one where they have a baby and another where they don’t. The show will star Rachel Bloom and comedian Rory Scovel as the central couple, with Bloom playing Rosie and Scovel portraying Alex Zilbalodis. Stern had been set to play the head of the family.
A Career Spanning Decades
Stern, 68, has had a long and varied career in the entertainment industry since the 1970s. His most recent roles include appearances on Apple TV’s For All Mankind, where he was part of the fourth season that concluded in 2024. He also appeared in 10 episodes of Aidy Bryant’s Hulu comedy Shrill, which ran for three seasons from 2019 to 2021.
Earlier in his career, Stern provided the narration for the original version of The Wonder Years. However, he is perhaps best known for his roles in the “Home Alone” franchise, where he played the bumbling burglar Marv. He also appeared in the Billy Crystal comedy City Slickers and its sequel City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, as well as Barry Levinson’s 1982 film Diner.
A Homebody by Nature
In a December interview with PEOPLE, Stern mentioned that he has preferred to stay on his Ventura County farm in recent years. This is why he did not attend events to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Home Alone.
“I don’t leave my farm,” Stern said. “It’s no offense to the movie…. A phone call, Zoom call, I’m in. But… I’m a bit of a homebody.”
Impact on the Show
With Stern’s role now being recast, the production team will need to find a suitable replacement for the head of the family. While details about the new actor have not yet been released, the show’s creators are likely looking for someone who can bring the same level of charm and humor that Stern brought to his role.
The recasting of Stern’s character may also raise questions about how the show will handle the storyline moving forward. Fans of the actor will certainly be curious to see how the series adapts to this change.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this development will affect the overall direction of Do You Want Kids? For now, the focus is on finding a new actor to fill Stern’s shoes and ensuring that the show stays on track for its upcoming production.