Current:Home > Invest'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding -WealthEngine
'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:18:38
Ken Hudson Campbell, known for his role as Santa in "Home Alone," crowdfunded his way to a successful cancer surgery after losing his SAG-AFTRA health insurance, according to his daughter.
Campbell's daughter Michaela organized a GoFundMe page on Dec. 1 ahead of the actor's planned "10-hour surgery" on Dec. 7. Campbell was diagnosed with cancer in October after "a tumor had elusively grown on the bottom of his mouth and it began encroaching on his teeth," his daughter wrote in the crowdfunding page description.
Campbell was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer that is not typically life-threatening, his daughter told People. It can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, according to Mayo Clinic.
His fundraiser for surgery surpassed its goal of $100,000 with top donations from other Hollywood figures including Steve Carell, Yeardley Smith and "Big Bang Theory" co-creator Bill Prady.
Campbell's daughter later shared that his "cancer was removed successfully, and his jaw bone has been reconstructed from his fibula and attached."
"The day after surgery, they took him off the respirator. He is in very good condition. He's giving us hand signals at times, writing his thoughts down and trying his hardest to communicate with us, even though he cannot speak," she added. "He's been making small improvements in different ways as each day goes by."
During the surgery, "a large part of his jawbone" was set to be removed, "along with his lymph nodes, and part of his leg bone. Surgeons plan to reconstruct a new jaw for Ken from this leg bone, install it, and treat him with radiation. He will have a 6-month recovery period & Chemo may be needed afterwards as well," his daughter wrote.
Shannen Dohertysays she learned of ex's alleged affair shortly before brain tumor surgery
She added: "Even though physical therapy and speech therapy are covered, we are anticipating huge out-of-pocket costs for caregivers/skilled nursing, insurance premiums, medical equipment, transportation, dental implants, dentures and who knows what else."
Before Campbell's recent surgery, the actor was getting routine checks until he lost his health insurance in January. In that time, his cancer became more aggressive, his daughter told People.
"He lost his health insurance with SAG and he had to stop going to the same doctors that he had been going to for a while about his mouth. And it discouraged him a little bit and he just didn't really check on it," she said. "I think it was really shocking for us because we thought he was taking care of it, at least I did. It was really hard for me to hear and I had a hard time emotionally."
In addition to "Home Alone," Campbell has had minor roles in "Groundhog Day," "Armageddon," "Coyote Ugly" and more. He is slated to voice a character named Boomer in Paramount+ series "Adventures in Wonder Park" in 2024, according to IMDb.
Hilary Swank sues SAG-AFTRA Health Planover ovarian cyst coverage: 'It’s time we are treated fairly'
veryGood! (321)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Find 15 Gifts for the Reader in Your Life in This Book Lover Starter Pack
- The CEO of TikTok will testify before Congress amid security concerns about the app
- The tax deadline is Tuesday. So far, refunds are 10% smaller than last year
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- What causes flash floods and why are they so dangerous?
- Celebrity Makeup Artists Reveal the Only Lipstick Hacks You'll Ever Need
- Microsoft applications like Outlook and Teams were down for thousands of users
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Inflation is plunging across the U.S., but not for residents of this Southern state
Ranking
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Brody Jenner and Tia Blanco Are Engaged 5 Months After Announcing Pregnancy
- UN Report: Despite Falling Energy Demand, Governments Set on Increasing Fossil Fuel Production
- If You're a Very Busy Person, These Time-Saving Items From Amazon Will Make Your Life Easier
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Exxon Turns to Academia to Try to Discredit Harvard Research
- M&M's replaces its spokescandies with Maya Rudolph after Tucker Carlson's rants
- Exxon announced record earnings. It's bound to renew scrutiny of Big Oil
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
Here’s Why Issa Rae Says Barbie Will Be More Meaningful Than You Think
The number of journalist deaths worldwide rose nearly 50% in 2022 from previous year
Former Broadway actor James Beeks acquitted of Jan. 6 charges
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Senators slam Ticketmaster over bungling of Taylor Swift tickets, question breakup
There's no whiskey in bottles of Fireball Cinnamon, so customers are suing for fraud
Celebrity Makeup Artists Reveal the Only Lipstick Hacks You'll Ever Need