Mark Patton, the star of 1985’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, is fighting for his life and asking fans to help with the cost of medical expenses.
Patton, who played Jesse Walsh in the Nightmare horror sequel currently lives in Mexico where his manager Peter Valderrama says the 63-year-old actor has “been ill for quite some time now.”
Patton was originally thought to be suffering from COVID-19, but it has been reported that it is actually “AIDS-related ailments,” and in a plea to fans for financial assistance Valderrama created a GoFundMe page on Thursday.
Mark Patton: Getty Images
The monetary goal of the fundraiser is $18,000. Of that goal, $11,985 has been raised as of this writing.
The Post reached out to Valderrama for a comment about the ailing actor, and where the funds will be going.
“He needs to be transported to an American hospital down there where he can be receiving more specialized care in a safer setting,” he said.
Patton came out publicly with his HIV diagnosis in 1999. He has been married to Hector Morales Mondragon since 2004. They live in Puerto Rico and run an art gallery.
When A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge was released in 1985, it gobsmacked many fans as it appeared to be a one-off from the original movie. None of the original cast members, except Robert Englund as Freddy were present. Granted, in the previous film the main characters were apparently killed off depending on how you interpret the ending.
But in part two, the script wasn’t perpendicular to Craven’s original storyline and it is perhaps for that reason he didn’t direct the sequel. Subsequently, the follow-up was a box-office success but lives as a cult classic, perhaps not as esteemed as some of the others in the franchise such as Dream Warriors, the third installment.
It has been speculated that the heavy homoeroticism in the movie made it less appealing to the horror crowd. The obvious gay subtext was unbeknownst to the director he has said in many interviews. In fact, Patton’s own struggle with the film was documented in the movie Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street.
Patton proudly attends horror conventions and special appearances in support of the film.
However, with his illness, he has had to cancel some upcoming events. His agent says the actor, “has decided to release his news in the hopes that his community could help him.”
Patton adds: “Basically I am asking for help. I will not be embarrassed. I just want to be healthy and at home with family… I have faced these medical challenges before, and I know I have a lot of fight left in me, but the last few years have been crippling for me financially.”
“If anyone is able to contribute, it would mean a life-saving option for me to be recovering in a place that can cater to my condition.”
If you would like to donate to the cause visit the GoFundMe page HERE.
Patty Larrañaga, Mark Patton and Paola Meixueiro pose for a photo during the 100th night of “El Exorcista” at Teatro Rafael Solana. Getty Images
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