Michael Kelcourse – affectionately known as Michael “The Butler” – was a long-standing fan-favourite on Southern Charm, appearing on the show since its debut season in 2014. While he’s worked for cast member Patricia Altschul for nearly two decades, he didn’t appear on season eight of the show after facing a shocking medical emergency.
Michael was loved by fans – and not only for his famous “perfect” martinis, but for his charming personality and his dedication to Altschul. But where is Michael Kelcourse now?
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Michael The Butler was devoted to Patricia Altschul for nearly two decades
Not only did Michael work for Altschul for nearly two decades, making several appearances on Southern Charm, but he was also very devoted to his employer.
“Michael, he’s devoted to my mom,” Whitney Sudler-Smith told Bravo’s The Daily Dish. “He’s the nicest guy in the world. He’s invaluable to my mom because he helps with her coterie of animals.”
His lengthy time in the role was due to his “master of the craft of butler service,” Sudler-Smith continued. “He knows everything. He knows history of how to serve [like] the correct silverware, [as well as] décor [and] decoration. He’s a master of this lost art. There are butler schools and acadamies and this and that, but he can teach these academies. He’s a master, essentially.”
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Michael loves to read and go to museums
In that same interview, Sudler-Smith explained that Michael has a love for literature and history. “He’s also very cerebral, incredibly well-read,” he explained. “In his time off he goes to museums, just reads. He’s an intellectual.”
He had a stroke in February 2021
In 2021, the beloved Southern Charm star suffered a spinal cord stroke, according to People.
Sudler-Smith revealed the news, explaining that Kelcourse suffered an acute spinal cord stroke, which “caused significant nerve damage and impairment.”
“I am sorry to inform you that Michael Kelcourse, affectionately known as ‘Michael The Butler,’ recently suffered an acute spinal cord infarction which is often called a ‘spinal cord stroke,’” Sudler-Smith said. “Although this tragedy has caused significant nerve damage and impairment, with the help of the outstanding physicians at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, we are hopeful Michael will soon recover. Thank you for respecting Michael’s privacy during this challenging time.”
He has moved to a rehabilitation centre, where he’s teaching other patients how to cook
After being under the care of physicians for quite some time, Altschul revealed that Michael moved to an assisted living facility near his family, where he is learning how to live with his paralysis.
According to The Sun, Altschul tweeted that “He is working hard at his rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center and is actually teaching other patients how to cook.”
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Patricia Altschul shares update on Michael at BravoCon
Despite suffering a stroke, Michael is still in good spirits. His former employer and fellow Southern Charm castmember Patricia Altschul shared an update on how he’s doing with fans at BravoCon 2022, according to People.
“He is paralyzed from the chest down,” Altschul explained. “I sent him to the Shepherd Center, which is the foremost center for spinal cord strokes. They rehabilitated him to the point where he can drive a van. He’s living in an assisted living care facility with nurses, which he requires. He’s in Sarasota, Florida, close with family, so they’re there to take care of him on a daily basis.”
She then went on to add that, “He has a wonderful attitude. He’s on Instagram, so send him messages on Instagram, that would be really nice.”
Michael Kelcourse loves his fans
During the same BravoCon panel, Altschul talked about how much Kelcoure appreciates his fans. In fact, as much as show fans love him, Kelcourse “loves Southern Charm, loves his fans. He used to stand out in the front of my house making up chores to do because I have fans around my house all the time. He loved to give garden tours and take pictures – so send him a message, that would be really nice.”
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