Kieran Culkin recently opened up about a troubling experience from his first acting job during an appearance on the Smartless podcast with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes. At just six years old, Culkin recalled a commercial shoot where the director put him in an uncomfortable position.

The ad, which Culkin vaguely remembered as being about learning disabilities, had him standing in front of a chalkboard while other kids were supposed to call him names like “dummy” and “stupid.” What left the biggest impression on him, though, was the director’s behavior. Culkin remembered the director yelling “action” and then insulting him with words like “dummy,” “idiot,” and “stupid.”

Even as a child, Culkin recognized how wrong it was, responding, “I’m six. Stand here and look sad. I’m not Method. What’s wrong with you?”

The hosts were stunned by Culkin’s story, with Bateman reacting with a surprised “Wow!