The bond between TV siblings can fade once cameras stop rolling, but for two stars of a beloved ’90s sitcom, their connection has only deepened with time.
David Faustino, who played the wisecracking Bud Bundy on Married… With Children, recently opened up about his enduring friendship with Christina Applegate, his on-screen sister Kelly.
Their relationship has evolved far beyond the sibling rivalry that made audiences laugh for 11 seasons.
And now, as Applegate faces one of life’s toughest challenges, Faustino is proving that family—even the TV kind—shows up when it matters most.
A Friendship That Transcends the Screen
In a recent interview with Extra, Faustino revealed just how close he and Applegate remain nearly three decades after their Fox sitcom ended its run in 1997.
We talk often. She’s helped me with a lot of things in my life, and I’m hoping I’m being there for her.
That mutual support has become especially meaningful since Applegate publicly revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2021. The condition affects the central nervous system and can cause a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive changes.
Rather than retreating from public view entirely, Applegate has confronted her diagnosis with characteristic honesty. She co-hosts the MeSsy podcast with actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also lives with MS, where both women discuss their experiences navigating life with the condition.
Humor as Medicine
Faustino expressed admiration for how his former co-star has approached her health struggle—with the same sharp wit she brought to playing Kelly Bundy.
She’s getting through it with humor. She’s very sarcastic, very dry, always has been and continues to be, and she still makes me laugh.
Research supports what Faustino observes firsthand: humor can be a powerful coping mechanism for people dealing with chronic illness. Studies suggest laughter may reduce stress hormones, improve immune function, and enhance overall quality of life for those managing long-term health conditions.
Applegate’s approach demonstrates resilience without denying the difficulties she faces—a balance that resonates with many living with chronic conditions.
Reunion With Purpose
Faustino and Applegate are preparing to reunite with their TV parents, Ed O’Neill (Al Bundy) and Katey Sagal (Peg Bundy), for “An Evening with The Bundys: The Married… with Children Cast Reunion” at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater.
But this isn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Proceeds from the event will benefit an organization close to Applegate’s heart.
I said, ‘Christina, which foundation would you like this to go to?’ And she said, ‘Race to Erase MS.’ The medicines and drugs that have come out from the research they’ve done have been life-changing.
Race to Erase MS has funded millions of dollars in research since its founding in 1993. The organization focuses on finding a cure while supporting those currently living with multiple sclerosis through improved treatments and therapies.
Applegate’s choice to benefit this particular foundation underscores how medical research has directly impacted her own journey with MS. Advances in disease-modifying therapies over the past two decades have transformed outcomes for many patients, slowing disease progression and improving quality of life.
A Cast That Stayed Connected
While Wednesday’s reunion is being billed as “long-awaited,” evidence suggests the Bundy family never really drifted apart.
Applegate has hosted all her former castmates on her podcast, demonstrating that their relationships extend well beyond promotional obligations. When O’Neill appeared as a guest, she praised him effusively.
She called him both “an incredible actor” and “an incredible human being.”
When Applegate received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November 2022—an emotional ceremony where she appeared visibly affected by her MS—both Faustino and Sagal were present to celebrate her achievement.
Faustino spoke at the event about Applegate’s early talent and courage, noting she possessed a “fearlessness” from their very first meeting on set.
The Power of Chosen Family
The enduring connection among the Married… With Children cast offers a heartening counterpoint to Hollywood stories of on-set drama and faded friendships.
For 11 seasons starting in 1987, these actors worked together intensively, filming 259 episodes of television. Those years created bonds that have clearly withstood the test of time and distance.
Applegate has understandably reduced her public appearances in recent years as she manages her condition. Yet she’s maintained her connection to her TV family, hosting them on her podcast and accepting their support during challenging times.
That mutual care reflects something deeper than nostalgia—it’s genuine affection built over years of shared experience.
Moving Forward Together
As Faustino noted, Applegate has helped him through difficult periods in his own life. Now he’s returning that support as she navigates her MS diagnosis.
Their upcoming reunion serves multiple purposes: celebrating a show that defined an era of television, raising funds for crucial MS research, and demonstrating that some relationships truly do last a lifetime.
For fans of Married… With Children, seeing the Bundys together again will undoubtedly spark nostalgia. But beyond the laughs and memories, this reunion represents something more meaningful—a chosen family showing up for one another when it counts.
Applegate continues facing her health challenges with humor, honesty, and the support of people who’ve known her for decades. And Faustino’s comments make clear he’ll be there every step of the way.
Once a Bundy, always a Bundy—apparently that motto holds true both on screen and off.