Actor Brett Butler, the star of Grace Under Fire, which was a popular sitcom in the 1990s, has recently come to the attention of millions after one of her close friends, Lon Strickler, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Brett Butler cope with her all-consuming financial struggles. Although her show ran for five seasons between 1993 and 1998, and she amassed $25 million from it, she lost it all after struggling with an addiction to drugs and other problems that forced her into dire financial straits.
In the fundraiser, Strickler writes: “Friends and loved ones are reaching out and asking for fans of actress Brett Butler to help her through her time of need. We all love and know Brett from her TV series, Grace Under Fire, as Grace Kelly, and her many TV and stage appearances. But like many others, this past year has put her in a critical situation, and desperation has set in. I’m not exaggerating using those words. It is urgent. Brett has exhausted all of her resources, and the stress of looming eviction is straining her mentally and physically.”
The fundraiser continues with: “Brett is one of the kindest down-to-earth people that anyone will meet. She has helped me get through some rough times, and I feel it’s time for me and her friends to help get her through this. I have taken the initiative to start this Go Fund Me page because she is a very private person, and I know she won’t ask for help.
“Brett has many fans all over the world. I am praying hearts will open, and you will give what you can. She has made millions of people laugh over the years. It’s time to give back to her for her gift of laughter to all of us. Please help! It is urgent!”
Butler struggled with alcoholism and an addiction to Vicodin, which she was prescribed to cope with pain from sciatica. Unfortunately, Butler said she only remembers about 80 of the 112 episodes of the show – however, her costars and ABC certainly remember her behavior and how she rushed to rehab to cope with her addiction.
The response has been astounding. People have donated more than $40,000 to the struggling Grace Under Fire star, which was twice the goal. On August 22, 2021, Brett Butler shared an update that read in part:
“Thank you. Flat out. There are way more people reaching out than I’d expected and with more kindness than I believe I deserve. To the folks who took the time to send personal messages of support, that’s been the biggest surprise of all. Some of you brought so much of that Human Being thing to the table that you helped change the way I see things – as in right now and for the better. That can change everything.”
She added, “If you’re ever queen of the known universe for any length of time and blow up your freaking spaceship in a distant galaxy a really long way from home, angels or good friends are your only hope. And once in a very blue moon, they are rolled into one.”
Are you surprised Brett Butler has received more than $40,000 from a GoFundMe fundraiser?