# What we gonna do? ( Children's hospital ads on TV) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [November 8, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795 "2023-11-08T03:34:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/1 "2023-11-08T03:34:58Z")
What are they gonna do about Alex (little Buddy Hackett) in the ads for Shriners and St. Jude? (Are those places connected, for real? ) Anywhoo, Alex is getting older. I swear he’s gotta have grey hairs by now (I hope they got the guy some false teeth, at least). Are they just gonna keep rehashing his old spots forever? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/2 "2023-11-08T03:39:30Z")
Alec still appears in the Shriners ads, though I think he’s in his 20s by this point. However, [the ads I’ve seen for them lately primarily feature a younger boy, Kaleb](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaqLJIRtiVY). (FWIW, Shriners and St. Jude are completely separate, though they both run those infomercial-style fundraising ads.) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/3 "2023-11-08T03:41:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Alec still appears in the Shriners ads, though I think he’s in his 20s by this point. [He’ll be 21 soon if he isn’t already.](https://chicago.suntimes.com/doing-well/2022/3/4/22957525/alec-cabacungan-shriners-childrens-chicago-hospital-brittle-bone-disease) > [@](#): > > However, [the ads I’ve seen for them lately primarily feature a younger boy, Kaleb](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaqLJIRtiVY). [There’s also one with a miniature Mike Ditka with Alec nowhere to be seen.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4146) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/4 "2023-11-08T03:46:26Z")
Oh, I think he’s older than 21. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/5 "2023-11-08T04:12:02Z")
I saw one the other day where Alex was talking to Kaleb. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/6 "2023-11-08T04:16:42Z")
That sorta creeps me out. Altho’ Kaleb may be older than he looks. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/7 "2023-11-08T04:54:05Z")
I believe Alec died a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/8 "2023-11-08T05:52:24Z")
Are you serious? I’m gonna miss Lil 'Buddy Hackett. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/9 "2023-11-08T05:53:57Z")
Just Googled that. I don’t see anything but a report of misinformation that Kaleb the other kid had died. But Shiners say he’s alive. So I’m assuming Alec is ok as well. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/10 "2023-11-08T06:19:50Z")
Beck - I think you’re right. I googled him to see how old he was now and I saw all these obituary notices for him. None of the sites were legitimate news sites. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/11 "2023-11-08T06:41:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’m gonna miss Lil 'Buddy Hackett Is there a reason you keep mocking his appearance by calling him this? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/12 "2023-11-08T06:43:37Z")
I think he’s cute. I’m not mocking. At least I don’t think I am. I’ll stop. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/13 "2023-11-08T11:06:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think he’s cute. He’s more than that. He’s adowwwrable. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/14 "2023-11-08T15:32:11Z")
> [@saucywench](#): > > Beck - I think you’re right. I googled him to see how old he was [This article from last week says Alec is 21](https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2023/11/01/face-of-shriners-childrens-hospital-was-indiana-pacers-summer-intern/70996640007/) and has been featured in Shriners commercials for 10 years. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Kaleb may be older than he looks. According to an official Shriners Facebook page, he’s 15 now. From 2014: > **[Log into Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ShrinersHospitalsforChildrenCanada/photos/a.10151233727897934/10152378256842934/?type=3)** > > Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/15 "2023-11-08T20:45:27Z")
I’m bad at Math. Even simple stuff. But my addition puts Alec closer to 25. He’s a college graduate. If he started on time, which I bet he didn’t, it would put him 23. He’s an adult. Should he be doing kiddy stuff on the commercials or maybe take a more adult role? I mean they need to lose his holding up a cute little blankie. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/16 "2023-11-08T21:51:48Z")
Now that you’ve mentioned it he does look like Buddy Hackett, 🤣 nothing wrong with his looks, he’s no Fabio but he was a funny guy. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/17 "2023-11-08T23:38:37Z")
He’s on TV and ads. And seemingly has a job as sports commentary personality. I’m sure with his degree in broadcasting he’s fully aware what he looks like. I bet he doesn’t care what people say, at this point. If he does, I’m sorry if I dissed him. I didn’t mean it as derogatory statement of his looks overall. I just thought it was silly. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/18 "2023-11-09T00:44:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > He’s a college graduate. [His profile for Northwestern University indicates he hasn’t graduated yet.](https://www.northwestern.edu/accessiblenu/about-us/meet-the-staff/alec-cabacungan.html) > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I mean they need to lose his holding up a cute little blankie. I agree with you there: he needs to leave the blanket-hawking to the actual kids. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/19 "2023-11-09T00:56:51Z")
He hasn’t graduated yet because he was in a wheelchair accident in December where he broke his shoulder, hip, and knee. He’s been in hospital and rehab ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795/20 "2023-11-09T01:03:47Z")
I read he graduated in 2020. There’s a lot of conflicting info online. So I don’t know. Either way he is an adult. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-gonna-do-childrens-hospital-ads-on-tv/992795.md?page=2)