Quaden Bayles: Hugh Jackman, Megyn Kelly send support to bullied boy after viral video

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
4 min read
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Quaden Bayles has some powerful new friends.

Hugh Jackman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and more stars are sending support to the nine-year-old Australian boy after a viral video showed the devastating impact of bullying.

In a heartbreaking video recorded by Bayles' mother, Yarraka Bayles, the crying young boy said "give me a knife I want to kill myself" after being bullied at school. Bayles was born with Achondroplasia, a genetic condition that causes dwarfism.

"I want people to know – parents, educators, teachers – this is the effect that bullying has," Yarraka says. "This is what bullying does. So can you please educate your children? Your families, your friends?… You wonder why kids are killing themselves?"

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The Facebook live video posted Tuesday quickly went viral, amassing over 13 million views and countless messages of support, including a personal video from Jackman.

"Quaden - You are stronger than you know. And no matter what, you've got a friend in me," said Jackman, a fellow Australian. "Everyone lets be kind to each other. Bullying is not OK. Period. Life is hard enough. So let’s just remember: Every person in front of us is facing some kind of battle."

Morgan said he knows from his experience as a dad that "kids can be horrible."

"What I want you to know is that you have friends, me included. I am your buddy," said "The Walking Dead" star. "You have a bunch of friends out here, out in the world that you haven't met yet. We're here, we got your back. You need to know that. It'll get better."

"Walking Dead" alum and "Punisher" actor Jon Bernthal called Bayles a "hero."

"Hey little man. For what it’s worth you have taught my family so much," Bernthal tweeted. "You have inspired us and in our home you are a hero. Thank you for your courage, stay strong the world is watching and you have so much beautiful power. From me and my boys. We are with you and we thank you."

Megyn Kelly shared an article about the video on Twitter and encouraged her followers to educate their children on bullying's impact.

"Pls, please, stop with the cruelty," she wrote. "Kindness. Love. Friendship. Understanding. What else matters? Pls, teach your children what bullying does to its targets. What kind of people do we want to be?"

“Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill said "the cruelty is as astonishing as it is heartbreaking."

Eric Trump, the son of President Donald Trump, called the video "absolutely heartbreaking." He added: "God bless this little boy... Quaden - we are all with you! Stay strong! #TeamQuaden"

Comedian Brad Williams, who was also born with achondroplasia, started a GoFundMe campaign to send Bayles and his mother to Disneyland in Anaheim, California: "I’m setting up this GoFundMe to let Quaden know that bullying will not be tolerated, and that he is a wonderful human being who deserves joy."

As of Friday, Williams has raised over $429,000 for Bayles and his family, surpassing the comedian's $10,000 goal. Fiji Airways even donated round-trip plane tickets, Williams added.

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"Aside from a few bullies who are bullying me for taking a stand against bullies, this fundraiser is unreal. So amazing to see all sorts of people come together. Quaden is going to have the time of his life! And it’s all thanks to you!" Williams tweeted.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Quaden Bayles: Hugh Jackman supports bullied boy after viral video

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