Beloved 90s Sitcom Star Has Lost Her Money And Is Now Strapped For Cash

Oct 22, 2023

Born Brett Anderson, Brett Butler’s life has been full of ups and downs since her birth. The actress was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to an oil executive father, Roland Decatur Anderson Jr., and a non-working mom, Carol Butler. She is the eldest of five sisters. Her dad, Roland, was an abusive alcoholic, so Carol left him and ran away with the children. What followed was a period of extreme poverty, which was aggravated by Carol’s depression. 

Nevertheless, Brett managed to attend the University of Georgia before she dropped out to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. She also briefly worked as a cocktail waitress before becoming a famous comedian. Brett found fame after she made her TV debut on “The Tonight Show” in 1987. She got noticed and, that year, became a writer for Dolly Parton’s short-lived variety series, “Dolly.” Brett started to gain nationwide appeal around the same time as comedian Roseanne Barr. 

In 1993, Brett’s luck hit the roof when she was signed on for ABC’s comedy series “Grace Under Fire,” and the series made her a household name. She received two Golden Globe Awards nominations for her role as the title character. Brett’s character was built around her life in the real world, except that she was not a mom. She had married an abusive man when she was 20, and the marriage collapsed three years later. Brett was also a recovering alcoholic. However, it wasn’t long before she became addicted to drugs while working, which made many co-stars quit.

Consequently, ABC canceled the series due to her unstable behavior on set. Her situation made her go out of work for a long time. Thus, in 2021, Brett had to raise money through a GoFundMe amid her financial crisis. Keep reading for the details. 

Brett remained unnoticed for years until her GoFundMe raised awareness about her situation. The comedy writer hasn’t posted anything on her Instagram since 2020 and Twitter and Facebook accounts since 2018. 

Brett acquiesced to having a GoFundMe opened for her after she realized in July 2021 that she was six months behind in her rent. The comedian, who lives in a rented $2,500 one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, confided in her friend Lon Strickler, who then led the GoFundMe request to save her. 

Strickler is a blogger who chronicles real-life supernatural encounters. Brett also claims to have psychic powers that enable her to communicate with the dead. Strickler decided it would be best to run a GoFundMe for his friend, and Brett shared what she thought of the idea.

“I told him, ‘I might’ve waited too long to do this, but I am so screwed right now,’” Brett told The Hollywood Reporter on Aug. 19, 2021. “‘I’ve been ashamed. Almost ashamed to death.’” 

“I was out of my mind. Drugs will do that to you,” Brett admitted. “The show should have been pulled sooner than it was.”

Although Brett retired to a farm in Georgia, she soon lost the place after falling behind on mortgage payments. However, contrary to an ET report in 2011, she was never homeless. The sitcom producer insisted that the part was fabricated to increase ratings. 

Brett made $250,000 per episode for “Grace Under Fire” and $25 million for the series, but theft, poor investment decisions, and financial carelessness made the whole amount disappear quickly. 

“I really just felt so guilty for having it ( money) — I almost couldn’t get rid of it fast enough,” she confessed. 

Although Brett filmed 112 episodes of “Grace Under Fire,” she can only remember about 80 episodes and hasn’t watched any. At the peak of the series, it was rated No. 4, but finished at 68 by the time it ended following Brett’s rehab stints and relapse. The comedian revealed that she became fully sober in 1998.

After that, she apologized to those she wronged and became an animal enthusiast, rescuing and raising many cats, dogs, and horses. As to how she survived earlier, the actress has been picking up roles in movies, including “How To Get Away With Murder” in 2016, “The Morning Show” in 2019, and “Fantasy Island” in 2023. She also plays a significant role in the upcoming “Beach Cougar Gigolo.”

Meanwhile, Brett credits her friend Charlie Sheen for saving her in 2012 when he lobbied for her to get the role of a bartender in his sitcom, “Anger Management.”

“If it wasn’t for Charlie, there’s no way I would have been on that show,” she said. “It literally saved me.”

Fortunately, Brett appears to have great friends who support her in trying times. When Strickler was trying to get her GoFundMe started, they decided on a goal of $15,000, but they eventually raised almost $50,000.

Brett is trying to get back to writing comedy. Also, she has not ruled out the possibility of writing a second book and appears to offer psychic readings. 

These are exciting developments, considering the 65-year-old started dealing with depression in 2019. She likened the situation to a “monster that moved into my house … The blanket of the pandemic was something I hid behind,” she said. “I let it cover my own insecurities or failings. But it’s time to come out of it.”

What do you think of Brett Butler’s story? Did you watch “Grace Under Fire?” What were your favorite episodes or scenes? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends, family, and fans of the comedian.