A man who was instrumental in creating Disney’s Air Bud franchise says he’s dealing with health issues and homelessness ahead of the holidays.
Kevin DiCicco said TMZ who is about to be left without a place to stay, since he has almost exhausted the 90 days that allow him to stay in a shelter in San Diego.
DiCicco told the outlet that he is “terrified” at the prospect of having nowhere to stay, which is compounded by a health crisis as he battles COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
DiCicco, owner and trainer of the late Golden Retriever Buddy seen in the 1997 Disney film, told the outlet that he “never received much monetary compensation” for his contributions to the film franchise.
The initial Air Bud movie hit theaters in August 1997 and grossed $23,144,499, according to box office mojo.
Kevin DiCicco, a man who was instrumental in creating Disney’s Air Bud franchise, says he is dealing with health issues and homelessness ahead of the holidays.
DiCicco owned and trained the late Golden Retriever Buddy seen in the 1997 Disney film.
While Buddy died in 1998 from synovial cell sarcoma, the Air Bud franchise remained a constant source of content for Disney until 2012, with DiCicco earning 11 credits for his creative contributions.
DiCicco told the outlet that after a bankruptcy, he struggled with depression and used medical marijuana to combat it; He said he never used any other substances.
He attributed his battle with COPD – which Mayo Clinic defines marijuana use as “an ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs.”
DiCicco said he requires supplemental airflow through the use of an oxygen concentrator and has used an electricity source to help charge the medical device in the shelter.
DiCicco said that while professional help helped him out of depression, he suffered another setback when the coronavirus pandemic stalled.
DiCicco said he lost his job as a property manager due to economic factors posed by the virus-induced shutdown.
TO GoFundMe The campaign started by DiCicco’s friends with a goal of $200,000 to help him recover has amassed $10,659 raised in 235 donations as of Sunday afternoon.
DiCicco told TMZ that he was hesitant to ask for the public’s help with a crowdfunding campaign, but that he is “running out of options” amid his unstable living situation.
DiCicco told Fox 5 San Diego in July that the financial deals with the Air Bud franchise were “cleverly crafted to ensure these movies never get a lot of money.”
Although Buddy died in 1998, the Air Bud franchise remained a constant source of content for Disney until 2012, with DiCicco earning 11 credits for his creative contributions.
The initial Air Bud film hit theaters in August 1997 and grossed $23,144,499.
“It’s so heartfelt that people I’ve never met donate to my cause,” read a statement from DiCicco on the fundraising page. ‘Many, many thanks again for your support. Your gesture is greatly appreciated.”
DiCicco said Fox 5 San Diego in July that the financial deals with the Air Bud franchise were “cleverly crafted to ensure that these films never make a lot of money.”
“That’s why we now find ourselves in a position where, instead of enjoying those twilight years and retiring, we almost have to start over.”