Ken Hudson Campbell — a beloved actor best known for playing Santa Claus in “Home Alone” — has undergone a desperately needed cancer surgery, paid for in part by a GoFundMe bolstered by famous donors like Steve Carell, Bob Odenkirk and Tim Meadows.
Campbell’s daughter, Michaela, confirmed doctors operated on her father Thursday morning, successfully removing the tumor growing in his mouth. She said the 10-hour surgery involved removing a large part of the actor’s jawbone.
Campbell was awake and in good spirits following the procedure, but the 61-year-old actor still has a long road ahead, she told TMZ on Saturday. He’s required to stay in intensive care for another few days and will then be transferred to regular inpatient hospital care for about another week.
After six or so more weeks of rehab, Campbell will be allowed to resume normal activity, his daughter added. Her father will also require reconstructive surgery, radiation and possibly chemo, which comes with a recovery period of at least six months.
The good news comes just days after a fundraising campaign, aimed at financing Campbell’s surgery, went viral online.
“On October 27th, 2023, Ken was diagnosed with cancer, a tumor had elusively grown on the bottom of his mouth and it began encroaching on his teeth,” his daughter wrote on GoFundMe.
She went on to explain that her father — a card-carrying member of the SAG-AFTRA union for more than three decades — lost his health insurance at the beginning of last year following the pandemic, leaving them unable to afford his hefty medical bills.
“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,” Michaela explained, noting that her family members are providing in every way they are able.
Carell shelled out $10,000 for the fundraiser, while “Big Bang Theory” creator Bill Prady donated $5,000. Actor Jeff Garlin, “SNL” alum Meadows, and “Better Call Saul” star Odenkirk also added to the pot, giving $1,000 each.
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