Unless you’re Patton Oswalt, social media fights usually end with people saying mean things to each other or being blocked.
Patton Oswalt, an actor and comedian, has made a name for himself as a blunt but kind and caring person outside of his work. People were moved by how honest he was after his wife died unexpectedly and by how willing he was to talk about depression and being a dad. It opened their minds and touched their hearts.
And once again, Oswalt has shown on Twitter that he is without a doubt one of the nicest guys in Hollywood.
Oswalt told people that the man who attacked him on Twitter needed help and asked them to help him.
Michael Beatty replied to Patton Oswalt’s answer to one of Trump’s tweets by saying, “I just realized why I was so happy you died in Blade Trinity!” and “And you shoot basketball ike [sic] the sawed off little man you are.”
As is usual on Twitter, Oswalt didn’t just let insults fly back and forth until someone gave up. Instead, he dug a little deeper and came up with this gem:
He wrote, “Aw, man,” he wrote. “This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he’s in a LOT of trouble health-wise. I’d be pissed off too. He’s been dealt some shitty cards — let’s deal him some good ones. Click and donate — just like I’m about to.”
Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he’s in a LOT of trouble health-wise. I’d be pissed off too. He’s been dealt some shitty cards — let’s deal him some good ones. Click and donate — just like I’m about to. https://t.co/6zRdZ430WG
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 24, 2019
Beatty, a Vietnam veteran, posted on GoFundMe about his recent, scary two-week stay in the hospital, where he fought sepsis, a blood infection that could kill him, and had trouble keeping his diabetes under control. When Oswalt saw the link, he told his fans about it and asked them to give money to this man who had only said bad things about him.
Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he’s in a LOT of trouble health-wise. I’d be pissed off too. He’s been dealt some shitty cards — let’s deal him some good ones. Click and donate — just like I’m about to. https://t.co/6zRdZ430WG
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 24, 2019
Oswalt gave the man $2000 himself to help him reach his goal of $5000. A few hours later, his followers raised it to more than $12,000!
As of the time this article was written, almost $13,000 had been donated to the GoFundMe. Beatty replied to Oswalt with a humble and sincere message:
I want to thank everyone who came to my aid with generous outpourings- and also to @pattonoswalt without whom I would not be the recipient of so much love and support. I’m not a man who ever cries but I had to wait to send this. And to quote Stuart on Big Bang “meat tonight”! pic.twitter.com/r4Kc9zYk7E
— Michael Beatty (@MichaelBeatty) January 24, 2019
He wrote, “Patton.” “You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade.”
Beatty then sent out a second tweet thanking everyone who had given:
See, THIS is why compassion and forgiveness are the best — wait, you CRIED?!? You fuckin’ pussy! Donation CANCELLED. https://t.co/NkgNb6tmG5
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 24, 2019
People have reacted to Oswalt’s kindness and Beatty’s response with hope that such actions can change people’s hearts.
Oswalt, who is always joking around, replied to Beatty’s Tweet with sarcastic humour.
Patton Oswalt, keep being a great human being. The world needs more people like you.