Brandon is an energetic 11-year-old wish kid with Hollywood dreams. His life-threatening medical condition has not deterred Brandon’s desire to be a professional actor. Brandon’s career aspirations, coupled with this fondness for the popular ABC comedy “8 Simple Rules,” influenced his decision of a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Brandon wanted to be an extra on an episode of “8 Simple Rules.” Shortly after making his request, Brandon was informed that his greatest wish would come true – but even he couldn’t have anticipated the star treatment that he was about to receive.

After arriving in Los Angeles, where the show is taped, Brandon and his family spent the first day sightseeing, and actually came across the filming of another program. Brandon could barely contain his excitement, as he was slated to spend the next day on the set of “8 Simple Rules.”

The next morning, the family was picked up in a limousine and taken to Walt Disney Studios where Brandon was to spend a day realizing his lifelong wish. From the moment he arrived, Brandon received VIP treatment. After an exclusive tour of the set, Brandon and the other members of the cast began taping scenes for the program.

Brandon and the cast members developed an instant bond, and the cast immediately embraced the wish kid from South Carolina. John Ritter spent quite a bit of time talking with Brandon about the show, Brandon’s acting goals, and John’s work as the voice of Clifford the Big Red Dog. Brandon even got to sit in John’s chair. John also surprised Brandon when he personally gave him an “8 Simple Rules” sweatshirt along with a script autographed by the entire cast.

As an extra in a wedding scene, Brandon was able to talk to the bride, and danced with several of the girls in the scene. As Brandon’s family watched from the live studio audience, he was realizing his greatest dream, to be an actor. In all, Brandon spent more than eight hours on the set that day, and he wasn’t finished.

After more the following day – which included Mann’s Chinese Theater, the Kodak Theater, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame – Brandon returned to the set to watch the conclusion of the taping from his reserved seat in the audience. Following the taping, Brandon took some pictures with his co-stars and said his goodbyes.

To say that Brandon had the experience of a lifetime would be an understatement. According to Brandon’s mom, his time on the set couldn’t have been better. “Our trip was wonderful. We can never thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation enough for making this dream come true for Brandon. He wants to be an actor more than ever now.”

ABC’s support of Brandon’s wish was part of ABC A Better Community, the network’s public service program. ABC and DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company (ABC’s parent company), are platinum sponsors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and are committed to making sure that no Disney wish goes unfulfilled.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® and the entertainment world lost a cherished friend due to the passing of John Ritter. Recently, John and the co-stars of the hit ABC series “8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter,” granted the wish of 11-year-old Brandon, whose greatest wish was to be an extra on the show.

The Foundation extends our sincere condolences to the family of John Ritter and our appreciation for John’s commitment to providing an unforgettable wish experience to Brandon and his family.