“Many of you know my uncle Mark from his iconic role as Jesse Walsh in A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” reads Ida’s statement. “Over the years, he’s become a powerful figure in the horror community and a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in film. But to me, he’s simply Uncle Mark — kind, generous, funny, and full of heart. Right now, he needs our help. Mark is currently battling serious health conditions: – Severe long COVID that has deeply impacted his energy and mobility – HIV, which complicates his recovery and requires constant care – Ménière’s disease, a chronic condition that causes intense, daily vertigo, nausea, and hearing loss. These illnesses have made it impossible for Mark to work or travel, and he is now struggling to cover basic living and medical expenses as he is bedbound.”

“Despite everything,” she continues. “He remains hopeful, but the reality is: he needs support to get through this. We’re asking for help to cover: – Ongoing medical treatments and medications – Rent, groceries, and essential bills – At-home care – Daily support so he can rest and recover without financial fear. Mark has given so much over the years — through his performances, his honesty about his journey as an HIV+ gay man in Hollywood, and his love for his fans. Now it’s our turn to give back. If you’re a fan, a friend, or someone whose life has been touched by Mark’s story, please consider donating or sharing this campaign. We are endlessly grateful for your love and support.”

This misunderstood sequel to Wes Craven’s groundbreaking horror classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street, takes place five years after the events of the first film. The Walsh family move into the former Thompson residence on 1428 Elm Street when the patriarch of the household can’t resist such a low cost, and completely ignores the fact that one of the former residents, Nancy Thompson, went insane after seeing her mother and boyfriend murdered by some maniac who attacks his victims in their dreams.

Naturally, the father dismisses such lunacy and moves his brood into the house. That’s when his sensitive teenage son, Jesse, starts dreaming of horror’s favorite sandman, Freddy Krueger, and soon realizes that the sinister specter is trying to possess him to continue his campaign of sleepy-time slaughter.

When A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge hit theaters in 1985, it didn’t receive the warmest of receptions. It was a box office success ($30 million domestically on a $3 million budget). Still, the critics showed no mercy, comparing it unfavorably to its predecessor and criticizing the bisexual undertones (or one could argue overtones) present throughout the movie.

Nightmare 2 went on to be a cult classic to horror fans, a cornerstone of the gay community, and Mark Patton would become a figurehead within it, but he prefers the title of “Scream Queen” more than anything. Despite being inferior to its predecessor, the movie still captured the dark essence of Krueger before he turned into a campy buffoon in the later movies.

And it features some of his greatest moments: Two of them being the pool party sequence, and his grand entrance into Grady’s bedroom through Jesse. There’s also the chilling score by the up-and-coming, future horror composer legend, Christopher Young. A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge is available to rent on Prime, and here’s another link to Mark’s GoFundMe campaign.