Topics: World News, Celebrity, Film and TV, Twitter, Chris Hemsworth, Anya Taylor-Joy
Trigger warning - this article discusses suicide
A young boy who was bullied at school has carved out a hugely successful acting career following his ordeal.
Aussie youngster, Quaden Bales, went viral a few years ago after his mom shared a heart-wrenching video on social media, explaining her son had been bullied and begging others to educate their children.
In the clip, Quaden, who was born with dwarfism, could be seen in floods of tears after a difficult day at school.
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But a few years on from the upsetting time and Quaden has managed to crack Hollywood, taking on acting roles in some major movies.
In the heartwrenching video, shared back in 2020, mom Yarraka says: "I've just picked my son up from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal, and I want people to know — parents, educators, teachers — this is the effect that bullying has.
“So, can you please educate your children, your families, your friends, because all it take is for one more incident and you wonder why kids are killing themselves.
"We try to be as strong as positive as possible and only share the highlights... but this is how bullying affects a nine-year-old kid."
Yarraka explained her son was suicidal 'nearly every day' after the endless bullying both in school and in public.
After the video, Quaden captured the attention of celebrities around the world.
Hugh Jackman posted a video on social media, explaining: "Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate. And no matter what, you've got a friend in me."
Meanwhile, Star Wars' Mark Hamill commented on the video: "The cruelty is as astonishing as it is heartbreaking."
Fellow actor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan posted a video to his Twitter account, explaining he also has a child of a similar age to Quaden.
"My man, I don't know your name, I don't know your mum's name but I saw your video, what I want you to know is you have friends, me included, I am your buddy," he said.
"You haven't met me yet, but we'll see if we can change that for one, maybe your mum can DM me, you have a bunch of friends out here, out in the world that you haven't met yet. We're here and we've got your back and you need to know that, it'll get better.
"As a dad of a nine-year-old kids can be horrible and that's because their parents aren't doing their job. It's going to get better. I promise it will. You hang in there, alright? DM me."
Among his supporters was Mad Max director George Miller, who chose Quaden to appear in his film Three Thousand Years of Longing, released back in 2022.
He even went on to later cast Quaden in Furiosa, the sequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, alongside Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Just recently, Quaden was photographed at the premiere of the movie, which was released on May 24.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
