After years of giving his time and energy into the Horror community, Mark Patton is receiving that love back in the midst of his own health nightmare. Best known for his starring role in the Queer coded A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, Patton has long embraced his title as Horror’s first male “scream queen.”
Many Elm Street fans have had the pleasure of meeting Patton at his plethora of convention appearances and events. His documentary - Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street - dives into the 63 year-old’s journey in the genre whilst navigating his LGBTQIA2S+ identity. Patton has also been known to donate generously to LGBTQIA2S+ charities and HIV treatment centers.
Just days ago, a Go Fund Me campaign managed by Patton’s manager (Peter Valderrama) hit the internet. Valderrama explained the actor’s recent canceled appearances while updating on his overall health status.
“...Sadly his health has taken a drastic turn for the worse. He has been ill for quite some time now…but now it is quite clearly AIDS related ailments that he is managing,” writes Valderrama. According to the fundraiser description, Patton is currently hospitalized in a facility overcrowded with COVID cases, leaving him especially vulnerable. In the days since the campaign’s launch, the Horror community has helped surpass the set donation goal. If you’d like to support Mark Patton, you can donate here. The Horror icon closes the description in his own words.
“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. Thank you all. Love, Mark.”