Outline:
Daniel Stern Exits ABC Pilot Amid Prostitution Scandal
Daniel Stern, best known for his role as the “wet bandit” Marv in the 1990 film Home Alone, has been removed from the ABC pilot Do You Want Kids? due to a recent scandal involving prostitution solicitation. According to a report by Deadline published on Thursday, January 15, the 68-year-old actor will no longer be part of the comedy series, which was set to star Rachel Bloom and Rory Scovel.
Stern’s role in the single-camera comedy was announced in December 2025. The show follows a couple, Rosie (played by Bloom) and Alex Zilbalodis (played by Scovel), who have a baby in one universe and don’t have children in another. The plot revolves around how the decision to start a family or not affects their lives. The series was co-written by Bloom and her real-life husband, TV writer Dan Gregor. In the show, Stern was set to portray the Zilbalodis patriarch.
The outlet reported that Stern’s role will be recast. ABC has not yet responded to requests for comment from Us Weekly.
Legal Troubles and Public Reaction
Stern’s exit comes just days after he was charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution. According to documents obtained by Us Weekly, he was officially charged with “engaging and agreeing to engage in prostitution” in Ventura County, California, on Monday, January 12. His arraignment was initially scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, but it has now been moved to February 6, according to TMZ. If convicted, Stern could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
According to police documents obtained by TMZ on January 9, Stern was cited at a hotel in Camarillo, California, on December 10, 2025, for soliciting prostitution. He was not detained or arrested during the incident.
Joey Buttitta, an attorney and spokesperson for Stern, told People at the time, “From what I understand, he was cited at the location and released.” Us Weekly previously reached out to Stern’s representatives for comment.
A Career Marked by Iconic Roles
Stern is most famous for his role as Marv in the Home Alone films, alongside Joe Pesci and Macaulay Culkin. He also appeared in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in 1992. In November 2015, he spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how his role in the iconic movies impacted his life.
“What a way for me to go through my life when people lose themselves to me in that way,” he said. “It changed my life; it opened doors for people connecting with me, wanting to tell me about the experience they had in their childhood and passing it on to their children, how they celebrate Christmas, how it made them laugh.”
Personal Life and Recent Health Issues
In 1980, Stern married his wife, Laure Mattos. The couple recently renewed their vows during a surprise ceremony on a 2019 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. They have three children: daughters Ella and Sophie, and son Henry Stern, who is a California State Senator.
Stern made headlines in October 2025 when he was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical emergency. TMZ reported that after being assessed by firefighters at his California home and then transported to a nearby hospital, he was ultimately released. A representative confirmed that the actor was in good health at the time.
