Why the Star of Peacock's Ted Series Credits Kingdom Hearts With Saving His Childhood
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Actor Max Burkholder shares how Kingdom Hearts and massive role-playing games helped him manage the stress of growing up as a child actor in Hollywood, as detailed in Polygon's Shelf Quest.
For many players, firing up a classic Square Enix role-playing game is about reliving simpler eras, but for actor Max Burkholder, it was a lifeline. In a recent interview with Polygon for their Shelf Quest series, the star of Peacock's Ted series opened up about growing up as a busy child actor on demanding film and television sets. Balancing school and demanding production schedules meant his downtime was precious, and diving into massive virtual worlds became his primary way to decompress after long days under studio lights.
While working on projects like Parenthood and The Purge, Burkholder found his solace in Kingdom Hearts 2, using the iconic Disney and Square Enix crossover as a tool to process stress and turn his brain off. That early habit stuck. Today, the 28-year-old actor still carves out time between professional commitments to power through modern blockbusters and sprawling role-playing games, proving that a demanding career in Hollywood does not have to come at the expense of a serious gaming habit.
His current rotation reads like a wishlist for any dedicated RPG fan, featuring deep narrative journeys and critically acclaimed titles. Alongside gaming staple marathons, Burkholder recently picked up copies for upcoming platforms and continues to treat interactive worlds as an essential escape. It is a reminder that games often serve as much more than entertainment, acting as a crucial emotional anchor for people navigating high-pressure environments across every corner of the entertainment industry.
Tags: Gaming Culture, Kingdom Hearts, Interviews, Square Enix, Streaming
Original article: Polygon