Ken Hudson Campbell, the actor known for his role as Santa in the iconic 1990 holiday classic “Home Alone,” has been diagnosed with cancer. The 61-year-old actor, who shared the screen with Macaulay Culkin in the beloved film, received the devastating diagnosis on October 27, prompting him to launch a GoFundMe campaign to cover the costs of his impending surgery.
Campbell’s daughter, Michaela, took to the GoFundMe page to share a heartfelt statement about her father’s health, shedding light on the challenges the family is facing. The page, created just one week ago, has already garnered significant attention and support, with fans and well-wishers expressing their concern for the veteran actor.
She detailed that a tumour had “sneakily developed on the underside of his mouth and started encroaching on his teeth,” and he is set to undergo a 10-hour surgery on December 7.
“The surgical team intends to reconstruct a new jaw for Ken using a bone from his leg, implant it, and administer radiation treatment. A 6-month recovery period is anticipated, and there is a possibility of requiring chemotherapy afterward,” Michaela wrote.
Despite the coverage for physical therapy and speech therapy, significant out-of-pocket expenses are expected for caregivers, skilled nursing, insurance premiums, medical equipment, transportation, dental implants, dentures, and potentially more.
Campbell’s family is aiming to raise $100,000 and, as of Friday, they have already reached over $84,000 towards their target.
Michaela highlighted that the actor is a “caring father of two children with a commendable zest for life, and a dedication to acting, writing, and sports.” There is a possibility that this procedure may impact his future ability to work as an actor. “We seek your assistance so that Kenny can dedicate the time ahead to regain his health and spend more quality time with family and friends,” Michaela added. “Every prayer, positive thought, pound, or expression of support holds immense significance for our family.”
Campbell has gained recognition for his performances in Groundhog Day and Armageddon. In Home Alone, he delivered a memorable scene alongside Culkin’s character, Kevin McCallister, wherein he almost loses his faux Santa beard and is seen smoking as he concludes his work for the day.
When Kevin requests his “family back” for the holidays, Campbell’s character appears bewildered but eventually hands him some Tic Tacs in a noteworthy exchange.
