InstagramErnie Reyes Jr., an actor and martial artist who played Keno in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, is battling kidney failure and needs a transplant.
The 43-year-old's sister, Destiny Reyes, set up a GoFundMe page last week to help raise money to pay for his treatment and as of Friday afternoon, at least $41,800 has been donated—more than half of the $75,000 goal.
"My brother, Ernie Reyes Jr., was recently in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) fighting for his life suffering from kidney failure," she wrote. "Ernie is currently undergoing dialysis treatment 3 times per week for 4 hours a day while waiting for a kidney transplant. This is a very challenging time not only for Ernie Jr.'s immediate family, but a challenging time for our family as well."
"Regardless of where you have seen or heard of Ernie Reyes Jr., he has impacted peoples' lives all over the world through his extraordinary performances in television and film," she continued. "Please be aware that he needs support during this time of need and recovery of his life."
"Much love to my sister @destikneee for starting a kidney transplant fund for me," Ernie tweeted. "I love you girl!"
He also posted on Instagram a mirror selfie showing himself shirtless and sporting a bandage.
"5:15am—On my way to dialysis. #nevergiveup #motivationmonday," the actor wrote.
Despite his ailment, Ernie is still working —he is set to host an event at the 2015 Battle of Atlanta Martial Arts Tournament next weekend.
Scores of friends and fans have been posting messages of support for him on social media.
"I don't know what I would do without all your love and support," he tweeted this week. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. #grateful."
Ernie's father trained him in martial arts and co-founded the Ernie Reyes West Coast World Martial Arts schools.
Ernie made his onscreen acting debut at age 13 in 1985, appearing in the movies The Last Dragon and Red Sonja, before landing the role of Donatello's stunt double in the first big screen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in 1990. He was 17 when he filmed the movie, sweating in a heavy turtle costume in the North Carolina heat and humidity.
Ernie recently reunited with Judith Hoag, who played Turtles ally April O'Neil (and plays Tandy on Nashville).
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie producers liked him so much, they cast him in the sequel. This time, he got to show off his face, as Keno, a pizza delivery guy who befriends the Turtles.
"I was happy. I was ecstatic that I was out of the suit," Ernie told the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan site Cowabunga Corner in 2014. "That was like really an amazing time period."
He went on to star in films such as Surf Ninja, which featured his dad, Rush Hour 2 and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. His most recent role was recurring character Jemadar Thapa on the show NCIS: Los Angeles. Ernie rarely acts anymore. He lives in Arizona, where he spends part of his time working with the Arizona charity Dignity Kids, of which he serves as the vice president.
He told Cowabunga Corner that he gets recognized more nowadays than he did when the original movies were released.
"It's kind of interesting because the workforce out in the world, whether you go to the bank, whether you go to the restaurant...those are the kids who grew up on the Ninja Turtles," he said. "I probably get recognized more today than I did say 10 or 15 years ago."