Current:Home > My'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding -ProfitZone
'Home Alone' star Ken Hudson Campbell has successful surgery for cancer after crowdfunding
View
Date:2025-04-15 22:16:36
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! (71)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mountainsides
- When is US Open women's final? How to watch Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
- AP Top 25: SEC grabs six of the first seven spots in rankings as Notre Dame tumbles to No. 18
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Coney Island’s iconic Cyclone roller coaster reopens 2 weeks after mid-ride malfunction
- Hope for North America’s Most Endangered Bird
- Which NFL teams could stumble out of the gate this season?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Never-before-seen JFK assassination footage: Motorcade seen speeding to hospital
Ranking
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- ‘The Bear’ and ‘Shogun’ could start claiming trophies early at Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- ‘The Room Next Door’ wins top prize at Venice Film Festival
- Ilona Maher posed in a bikini for Sports Illustrated. It matters more than you think.
- 'Most Whopper
- ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu on ‘shooting the moon,’ casting Ariana Grande and growing 9M tulips
- Students are sweating through class without air conditioning. Districts are facing the heat.
- Multiple people shot along I-75 south of Lexington, Kentucky, authorities say
Recommendation
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Chiefs' thrilling win over Ravens is most-watched season opener in NFL history
A hurricane-damaged Louisiana skyscraper is set to be demolished Saturday
Which NFL teams could stumble out of the gate this season?
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Jonathan Owens scores Bears' first TD of the season on blocked punt return
Michigan groom accused of running over groomsman, killing him, bride arrested, too
AEW All Out 2024 live updates, results, match card, grades and more