In the late ’90s, millions knew the name Alex D. Linz — he became the new “kid with the traps” in Home Alone 3, the continuation of the legendary Christmas franchise. However, the young actor’s fate followed the path of many child stars: after a rapid rise came an equally quick and quiet departure from Hollywood as he chose a completely different kind of life.
Alex Linz was born on January 3, 1989, in Santa Barbara. His mother was an attorney, and his father a professor at the University of California. The family upheld academic traditions, but young Alex showed talent for acting long before any interest in science. By age six, he was already appearing in TV shows, and at just eight years old, he landed the role that would make him instantly recognizable.
Home Alone 3 premiered in 1997, and although the film didn’t reach the iconic status of the earlier installments, the young actor won over audiences. His natural performance, humor, and charm gave the movie its spark and made Linz one of the standout child stars of the late ’90s.
Despite his success, Alex did not pursue a long-term acting career. He appeared in a few more well-known films — including One Fine Day — but by the time he reached high school, he began to feel that acting wasn’t his true calling.
In school, he was deeply involved in music and even became the vocalist of a garage band, though music, too, did not become his profession. After graduation, Linz enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied anthropology. Classmates recall him as calm, detail-oriented, intellectually curious, and someone who rarely ever mentioned his childhood fame.
After earning his bachelor’s degree, Alex continued his education, obtaining a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from one of the top universities in the U.S. He later worked at various analytical and research organizations, and eventually as a legal researcher in Los Angeles
Today, his career revolves around analytics, legislative research, and urban development projects. In professional circles, Linz is known as a competent expert and someone who deliberately avoids publicity. He is barely active on social media and stays far away from journalists’ attention.
