Bond – who played Butch in the 1930s-era film shorts – died of complications from heart disease at the age of 70. His manager, Frank Marks, says the actor’s family is so broke from various medical treatments that there is no money for a funeral.
Marks says the actor’s widow, Pauline, and his son, Tommy, Jr., are trying to raise funds for a proper memorial that can be attended by fans and surviving members of the Our Gang comedies, including actors Jackie Cooper and Donald “Porky” Lee.
The Bond family also hopes to contact former Rascal Robert Blake, who said that Bond was the only actor who stood by him during his recent murder trial.
Bond’s family is hoping to get donations from various Hollywood charities and is asking fans of Our Gang to chip in to the Tommy Butch Bond Memorial Fund by sending checks to 18375 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 452, Tarzana, California, 91356.
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