5 year old Jayden Barber has terminal cancer. He is not part of the Make A Wish program but he has a group of supporters that number over 30,000 and started a Facebook page called Light The Batsignal. One of the supporters on the page made some calls and then got other people to make calls and the next thing you know, publicists for Anne Hathaway and Christian Bale said to please stop calling and they would do anything. Jayden wanted to meet Christian Bale. The next part was totally Christian. He wanted no publicity before or during the event, but two weeks after they could share. Bale paid for a total of seven people to fly to Los Angeles and for their hotels and for gifts and just a whole bunch of other things. Christian spent three hours alone with Jayden and his family and said he was pulling for him.
He is such a wonderful and sweet man. I know we have all heared his rant from bat man, I think it was a heat of the moment passion blow up more than him actually really being pissed. He is a good guy and I have had a crush on him forever. Good on you Christian and all the other folks involved in making this little boys day!
ReplyDeletehis rant wasn't from batman
DeleteWhy is he so awesome?????
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget, he also went to visit the victims of the Colorado shooting on his own. Tried to be very low-key about it.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to say the good things kinda out weight the crap he went through with is mom and sister a few years ago....
ReplyDeleteI like this guy-- the no publicity clause makes him even more awesome.
ReplyDeleteI will forever love him for this post alone, regardless of the negative press he sometimes receives. I know relatives of people with cancer that wouldn't go to that time and expense to put a smile on their face. Kudos Christian!
ReplyDeletewhat a man, he has so much compassion. i have so much more respect for him.
ReplyDeletethis brought a tear to my eyes. So very sweet of him to do.
ReplyDeleteI adore him.
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with Batman!
ReplyDeleteHigh five Christian Bale! You are my superstar! What a classy guy :) You can tell he has a big heart and wants to help other. And NO publicity! That was the best part of the story for me.
I got teary too.
OK. This might ruffle some feathers but here goes.
ReplyDeleteJayden is 5 years old. I can't imagine a 5 year old being that enamored over a character from a series of films that is basically targeted to groups of people over the age of 5. You would think he'd want to meet actors from shows on the Nickelodeon channel or Sesame Street. I think it's great that Christian Bale flew them to CA, accommodated everyone, and spent time with Jayden. He went well beyond anything I would imagine. Honestly, a Skype video would have been fantastic in my mind. Still, there is a part of me that feels that this is more about the adults and less about Jayden. If the point is to honor Jayden, then why not focus on him?
I hear what you're saying, but it's more than just a 5-year-old who is dealing with terminal cancer. Imagine how those parents feel? Their 5-year-old son, their baby, is dying. Meeting Bale, seeing him take their sons mind off being sick: I'm sure it was a great day for them too, and that's ok by me.
DeleteMy little brother was 3 when the first Batman with Keaton came out, and he was obsessed. Boys like superheroes, what can I say.
DeleteMy son is 5 & although we don't allow him to see this version of batman he does love all superheroes incl batman (the 60's tv show is his fave) & I think this was more a 5 yr old meeting the current actor who plays batman more than the kid liking the movie itself
DeleteYou know, we all have our less-than-stellar moments. They just don't usually get recorded and sold to tabloids.
ReplyDeleteMr. Bale has shown a lot of class lately. The fact that he didn't want press before or during, but didn't make them keep it a secret. Because seriously, wouldn't you want to tell everybody if he did that for you?
He's good in my book.
Well, Batman was always a precarious balance of the dark and light aspects of his personality. Lol.
ReplyDeleteHaving a publicized bad day doesn't make someone bad. I'm glad my bad days are not of public interest.
@FlirtyChick: you have a good point.
ReplyDelete@call me yndy - you're exactly right. The best person in the world can occasionally lose their temper. If that's his only flaw, he's ok in my book.
ReplyDeleteChristian Bale doing this and going to visit the theater shooting victims brought tears to my eyes. He's such an awesome guy. Not wanting publicity for these things means he did them 100% out of the kindness of his heart. I adore him for that.
ReplyDeleteI will say that Christian took a huge step forward in my book by doing this. I still think he can be jerky, but he obviously has a good side, too.
ReplyDelete@FlirtyChick - I wondered how he knew about Christian Bale, too. My 9-year-old has not seen any of the Dark Knight movies yet due to the scariness/dark nature. I hope that little boy gets better and I like it when celebrities do nice things without a camera crew around.
ReplyDeleteI know that Christian Bale is not perfect, he has a lifetime of behavior that's kind of all over the place. I know someone in my personal life who is very similar - a good guy overall who has made some infamous missteps that have left me shaking my head and looking at him like he's a stranger because I know what a good heart he has. For that reason, I can believe that Bale is also a good guy most of the time. This was a good thing that he did.
ReplyDelete@The Mayor - I see your point, too. It sure is tough being the parent of a very sick child (my little boy has a serious heart defect). However, my opinion above is the same. I also didn't realize the boy is terminal until I read the comments. How devastating.
ReplyDeleteSmash - I have crushed on Christian Bale since Empire of the Sun (showing my age here I think).
ReplyDeleteFor those of you thinking it was over the top, maybe it was. But if you know of anyone who has been a caretaker for a terminally sick child or sick parent, you know that those people NEVER get a break. They are always on - physically caretaking or worrying - basically devoting their life to that dying person. So I think it was nice that the parents got some TLC too.
Respite care is really important! So I'm glad everyone got a break. It may be the one good happy memory that they always have after their son dies.
Jayden probably likes the mechandise and the image of Batman. Maybe he watches the old TV series? Christian Bale is just the current Batman, and to a 5 year old any Batman will do! Kids don't need to have seen the Dark Knight series to get bat-obsessed.
ReplyDeleteI've always though CB is a decent person, and I like the fact he is kind without it being a publicity stunt.
I didn't read all the posts before I posted above & u said exactly what I was tryin to but much better than I did...lesson learned, read all the comments first lol
DeleteHave loved him since empire if the sun. So he got cranky and nasty at wirk. Whi hasnt, or at least felt like it. Fyi, his mother and sister are batshit.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this wasn't a blind item to be revealed later.
ReplyDeleteAnd for what it's worth, I knew a co-worker years ago who had a son about Jaydens age. Her son had a t-shirt w/ the iconic Batman logo which he !insisted! wearing every day. It was a war to get him dressed some mornings, so she often laundered the shirt at the end of each day to avoid the potential headaches.
The young ones do develop certain attachments to comic book heroes
Flirty I too have a five year old son. He loves batman although he is unable to watch any other then the cartoon as he is not old enough yet. That being said my son is healthy (touch wood), if he were terminal I could not deny him any movie he wished to see
ReplyDelete@Flirtychick, I'm a nurse practitioner in a pediatric oncology ward..children like this little guy are who I'm lucky enough to work with. And they are all extremely smart, articulate, wonderful little people. You'd be amazed at what they know. Your comment really tubbed me the wrong way. Don't assume you know anything about these children until you are in their lives firsthand. That being said, I loved Christian long before this, but this just gives me a warm fuzzy. These kids deserve to meer their heroes. Sorry for the rant, but after the day I had yesterday I feel the need to defend these little people..
ReplyDelete*rubbed me..not good trying to rant via iphone.
DeleteOh, I like "tubbed" better.. I think I will use it. It sounds way worse.
ReplyDeleteChristian Bale ranted at someone who was acting unprofessionally cuz he actually wants a good quality product.
ReplyDeleteBut it seems like outside of being a perfectionist for his work, he's actually a pretty decent guy.
Crying at 6:15am on a Sunday morning here in Australia. What a beautiful act. Just wanted to write that many children get infatuated with movie/television characters. How wonderful that he met Batman, in the guise of Bruce Wayne. I would love to know if he thought he was meeting Christian Bale or if he called him Bruce.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the nicest things!
ReplyDeleteI work with 5 years olds and some are scared of the most basic cartoon while others are into Darth Vader and all the scary Star Wars villians without batting an eye. I was scared of everything but my older sister could watch any old horror movie without being scared. Parents know what their kids can handle and maybe Jayden is not phased by movies. He may actually like The Dark Knight. With all he goes through medically he's probably a brave kid anyway. Now if he wanted to meet Patrick Bateman, I would be surprised.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Christian Bale. Hot and talented.
Now if he wanted to meet Patrick Bateman, I would be surprised.
DeleteHoly hell that made me laugh!!!
Now if he wanted to meet Patrick Bateman, I would be surprised.
DeleteHoly hell that made me laugh!!!
He's a keeper in my book!
ReplyDelete@flirtychick, you'd be surprised at what some vey young children latch onto. Plus, even though the movies are adult oriented, the merchandise is all over the toy sectiin in every store.
Christian Bale is proof you can be a child actor, have horrid parents who exploit you, but still turn out a good person.
ReplyDeleteHi Shauniebear! Big hug to you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing work you do for the little ones and their families!!!
Aww thanks, girl!! I so needed a hug :)
DeleteYou CDAN folks are the best..I actually got a little teary eyed with the kind things that have been said :)
I always say nurses are angels on earth, and I am basing that on the beautiful care my parents got when they were sick and dying. You deserve all the props u get, esp caring for children. :)
Delete*gaahhh* section(!)
ReplyDeleteGood guy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a cool dude, Mr. Bale. :)
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI too have loved CB forever. Behaviour like this, meeting a sick child with no desire for publicity, is in line with everything I've ever heard/seen about him. I know he's not perfect, and I'm inclined to believe the rumours about him hooking up with co-stars, but I still freakin' love him and aside from harming animals there isn't much he could do that would make me not love him. Swoon.
Nice. Always liked him as an actor; it is refreshing to read something like this about his private life. I liked that he responded so personally to the Colorado shooting victims. The little boy and his family are going to remember this forever.
ReplyDeleteyou haven't lived until you've seen christian bale in 3:10 to yuma. he is so fantastic in that part.
ReplyDeletethis is a very touching story, and as someone else mentioned, coupled w/him visiting the victims in aurora, he seems like an amazing person. one of the most talented in hollywood as well.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/sep/08/batman-bale-rises-to-the-occasion-for--y/
ReplyDeleteall the story
i hope the best for Jayden and his family
and thanks to Bale and his family
That's it, I love Christian Bale.
ReplyDeleteWell done man, well done.
@flirtychick
ReplyDeletebatman is an icon that crosses all ages. dc creates different licensing and merchandising programs suitable for different demographics; and for kids in jayden's age group, they are extremely careful to present batman as an action hero.
the movies are an event that raises the awareness of batman the franchise. however, the franchise has numerous extensions that also keep the property alive, such as comic books, tv, toys, etc.
so i don't think we can say for sure that this is the parent's wish. jayden could know batman from these other extensions. it may just be that he wanted to meet batman and people saw a way to make that happen.
i'm curious to know whether christian suited up or not.
Love CB! That was super sweet and caring of him. I like that he wanted it kept quiet. I'm also glad that he rocks the facial hair when he isn't filming-otherwise he looks too much like Bateman. Have you all read that book? Its so weird. I went thru a BEE phase and read American Psycho a half dozen times..high school what can I say! CB was great in it tho, and The Prestige is fantastic as well (even if ScarJo is in it, Bowie makes up for it)
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it was possible for me to love Christian Bale any more ... *sigh*. He is perfection.
ReplyDeleteI met a far less famous musician and his wife/manager a few years back, socially. Found out a few months later that a friend had terminal cancer. My friend was a huge fan of this musician, so I wrote his wife, asking if he could possibly send a postcard or note to cheer my friend up. She told me I would have to buy something from his website first and then she could arrange to have it signed. I was appalled. It's so wonderful to hear of big stars doing stuff like this, out of the kindness of their heart.
ReplyDeleteParents can show the movie on DVD to their kids and censor the bad parts, which lets them get the idea but not the violence. Everybody gets to love Batman!
ReplyDeleteThe stars really went out of their way to make sure all the attention went to Jayden instead of themselves...this is what impresses me most about this....
ReplyDeleteHe's living up to his given name.Good.
ReplyDeleteWhen my son was 3, he wore a Batman costume for almost a year straight, like others said, Batman is a hero to many different aged kids...and now Bale is a hero to this little boy too. I love this story...and Ms Cool, I will keep a good thought for your son!
ReplyDeleteHe really does seem like a genuinely great man. I completely changed my opinion of him after he wanted no publicity or attention for visiting the colorado shooting victims.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't want to hate him after his rant and bad press a few years back because I adored him in Little Women. So glad I can, without hesitation, say he's awesome.
ReplyDeleteit's not how it's happened really but it was a Bale's idea (to invit the whole family to Disneyland and to lunch with them with Bale,wife&kid)and he wanted that it stays a secret
ReplyDeleteHe's just hot, no question. And I'm old enough to remember Empire of the Sun - brilliant movie - and drawn from the life of the author. CB was also amazing in Velvet Goldmine.
ReplyDeleteI think he's one of those actors who wear their emotions and their nerves on the outside - he feels everything and he's not always good at turning it off. God bless his wife - I'm sure she loves him but it can't be easy. Hope the sex is great. He definitely has a kind heart.
AuntLiddy - you're so right. My daughter (thank God) is healthy but we had a very rough time when she was born - we were both touch and go. Nurses were amazing. I was in ICU for 2 weeks and during that time the nurses washed my hair for me. Totally not SOP - but I was a young (ok, new, not that young) mom and very sick and they wanted to make me feel better. At first my mom thought I'd been hallucinating till one of the nurses said yes, we washed her hair.
Doctors prescribe the meds but the nurses keep you going.