Brandon “Bug” Hall, best known for playing Alfalfa in the 1994 comedy The Little Rascals, has sparked controversy by turning to the public for financial help as he prepares to welcome his sixth child.
The former child actor, now 41, launched a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $2,000 (£1,490), saying: “I’m a few materials short of having things working right, and I’ve fallen a little behind on the few bills we have (phone, propane for the camper, and an unexpected electric hookup service fee).”
However, the fundraiser has attracted considerable criticism.
After leaving the entertainment industry, Ball reportedly gave up the money he earned during his acting career and embraced an off-grid lifestyle. Hall and his wife, Jill DeGroff, currently have five children together.
In his fundraising appeal, Hall wrote: “I always said this was my choice, and so I didn’t want to offload the glorious burden of it unless there was no other choice. Well here we are,” he wrote.
“We’re all overjoyed to be where we are, and we’re even enjoying roughing it, but baby six is less than a month away, and I really need some help getting the last few things buttoned up beforehand,” he added.
Former actor set up GoFundMe ahead of sixth child’s arrival
His decision to ask for donations has not gone down well with everyone.
One critic wrote: “That pitch of his is disgusting. He hasn’t fallen on hard times, he’s chosen them and then in begging as a result has brought shame down on raising families, the Catholic faith and himself, a shame he appears not to even recognize,” according to LADbible.
Another person urged Hall to reconsider his priorities and find employment, writing: “This is embarrassing, stop impregnating your wife when you can’t even keep your family afloat.”
Hall did not appear particularly troubled by the criticism. Responding to the comments, he wrote: “I’m going to keep impregnating my wife.”
Hall claimed that his account had been ‘frozen thanks to my haters’, while critics questioned why the campaign remained active after it had already surpassed its original financial target.
The fundraiser has now gone far beyond its original $2,000 goal, bringing in more than $29,000.
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