Hollywood community supports couple battling ALS

(Couple have started GO FUND ME to battle ALS)

Lisa Poggi and Don Anderson, producers of the critically acclaimed documentary Brothers in Arms, and former News Corp. executive Marty Pompadur have joined together with industry colleagues to launch a GoFundMe campaign in support of Emmy-winning producer Anton Maillie and his battle with the terrible disease ALS, along with sole caregiver and wife, Tonick Films founder Mari Fuentes.

Anton Maillie is an American film and television producer who was awarded an Emmy for his work on the memorable CNN commercial Why We Go.   

One year ago, Anton was diagnosed with a “terminal disease.” After over four years of deteriorating health, it was determined he had ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Today, Anton is wheelchair-bound, has lost 90% use of his arms and legs, and his speech is declining daily. Spiritually, emotionally and mentally, Anton is a fighter and is holding his own, but ALS is a hideous disease.

According to the ALS Society, the total cost of ALS care is $250,000. As it progresses, Anton’s caregiving needs will rise exponentially. At present, his wife Mari is his sole caregiver, except for a few hours per week. There is virtually nothing Anton can do without Mari’s assistance, from brushing his teeth to getting dressed to eating meals, etc.


ALSO READ: ‘Croods’ provide 1 million meals to families in need


She also cares for two teenage boys, their household and three dogs. She barely sleeps and is physically and emotionally exhausted. Soon, he will need to be lifted in and out of bed, and his wheelchair, etc. Thus, the couple will need outside help.

Friends David Palmer, former member of Steely Dan, award-winning producers Rob McLeod (American Idol, The Proposal, Don’t, and others) and Cindy Caponera (Nurse Jackie, Shameless, At Home with Amy Sedaris, and others), award-winning commercial directors Nick Piper, Ken Arlidge and Klaus Obermeyer, actors Nancy Allen, Judy Kain and Jack McGee, former NFL/NHL senior executive Perry Cooper, casting director Kristy Carlson (Wonder Woman 1984), and senior executives from Backyard Productions and Rocket Films are also on board to lend their support to the campaign. 

“Anton has always been first in line to help others. He started a run/walk campaign for weSPARK Cancer Support Center, which raised over $1.5 million and he mentored countless people in the industry,” comments Anderson. “And he has always shown up for his friends, whenever and wherever needed.”

Poggi on set of Brothers in Arms

“It’s now time for Anton’s friends and industry colleagues to ‘show up’ for him as he and Mari face this terrible disease,” adds Poggi. “We’re grateful that people like Marty Pompadur, whose son was a good friend of Anton’s, are generously offering their support and connections to help support this amazing couple.”

The GoFundMe “Let’s help Anton & Mari fight ALS” hopes to raise $104,000 to cover the cost of a caregiver for one year.

“I have known Anton since the mid 80’s when he first began his career. He only rose from a PA to become a highly creative and bulletproof producer. We traveled the world together doing some incredible work.
On top of his superb production skills, Anton has run marathons on seven continents including Antartica and has raised over $1.5million sponsoring races for the WeSpark Cancer Support Center. Now he really needs our help so we are all jumping in to give him a hand,” Kris Mathur, Executive Producer of Backyard Productions told Reel 360.


Nominate Someone You know For The Reel Black List OR Reel Women


The couple is grateful for the support of the ALS Golden West Chapter.

Anton’s friends have created a GoFundMe campaign titled “Let’s help Anton & Mari fight ALS” here

(Couple have started GO FUND ME to battle ALS)

Lisa Poggi and Don Anderson, producers of the critically acclaimed documentary Brothers in Arms, and former News Corp. executive Marty Pompadur have joined together with industry colleagues to launch a GoFundMe campaign in support of Emmy-winning producer Anton Maillie and his battle with the terrible disease ALS, along with sole caregiver and wife, Tonick Films founder Mari Fuentes.

Anton Maillie is an American film and television producer who was awarded an Emmy for his work on the memorable CNN commercial Why We Go.   

One year ago, Anton was diagnosed with a “terminal disease.” After over four years of deteriorating health, it was determined he had ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Today, Anton is wheelchair-bound, has lost 90% use of his arms and legs, and his speech is declining daily. Spiritually, emotionally and mentally, Anton is a fighter and is holding his own, but ALS is a hideous disease.

According to the ALS Society, the total cost of ALS care is $250,000. As it progresses, Anton’s caregiving needs will rise exponentially. At present, his wife Mari is his sole caregiver, except for a few hours per week. There is virtually nothing Anton can do without Mari’s assistance, from brushing his teeth to getting dressed to eating meals, etc.


ALSO READ: ‘Croods’ provide 1 million meals to families in need


She also cares for two teenage boys, their household and three dogs. She barely sleeps and is physically and emotionally exhausted. Soon, he will need to be lifted in and out of bed, and his wheelchair, etc. Thus, the couple will need outside help.

Friends David Palmer, former member of Steely Dan, award-winning producers Rob McLeod (American Idol, The Proposal, Don’t, and others) and Cindy Caponera (Nurse Jackie, Shameless, At Home with Amy Sedaris, and others), award-winning commercial directors Nick Piper, Ken Arlidge and Klaus Obermeyer, actors Nancy Allen, Judy Kain and Jack McGee, former NFL/NHL senior executive Perry Cooper, casting director Kristy Carlson (Wonder Woman 1984), and senior executives from Backyard Productions and Rocket Films are also on board to lend their support to the campaign. 

“Anton has always been first in line to help others. He started a run/walk campaign for weSPARK Cancer Support Center, which raised over $1.5 million and he mentored countless people in the industry,” comments Anderson. “And he has always shown up for his friends, whenever and wherever needed.”

Poggi on set of Brothers in Arms

“It’s now time for Anton’s friends and industry colleagues to ‘show up’ for him as he and Mari face this terrible disease,” adds Poggi. “We’re grateful that people like Marty Pompadur, whose son was a good friend of Anton’s, are generously offering their support and connections to help support this amazing couple.”

The GoFundMe “Let’s help Anton & Mari fight ALS” hopes to raise $104,000 to cover the cost of a caregiver for one year.

“I have known Anton since the mid 80’s when he first began his career. He only rose from a PA to become a highly creative and bulletproof producer. We traveled the world together doing some incredible work.
On top of his superb production skills, Anton has run marathons on seven continents including Antartica and has raised over $1.5million sponsoring races for the WeSpark Cancer Support Center. Now he really needs our help so we are all jumping in to give him a hand,” Kris Mathur, Executive Producer of Backyard Productions told Reel 360.


Nominate Someone You know For The Reel Black List OR Reel Women


The couple is grateful for the support of the ALS Golden West Chapter.

Anton’s friends have created a GoFundMe campaign titled “Let’s help Anton & Mari fight ALS” here