Dermatologist Relishes Cameo Roles
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66 Practice Trends S KIN & ALLERGY N EWS • May 2008 T HE R EST OF Y OUR L IFE Dermatologist Relishes Cameo Roles riter and film director Woody down” (1999) and in “Small Time Crooks” Allen was about to leave Dr. (2000); a magician’s volunteer in “The WKenneth L. Edelson’s derma- Curse of the Jade Scorpion” (2001); an eye tology office on Manhattan’s Upper East doctor in “Hollywood Ending” (2002); a Side in March of 1986, when he turned to hotel desk clerk in “Anything Else” (2003); Dr. Edelson and made him a promise. and a disco guest in “Melinda and Melin- “In his inimitable manner, Woody da” (2005). Along the way, he has rubbed scratched his head and said, ‘You know Dr. elbows with scores of celebrities, includ- Edelson, you’re a real funny guy,’ ” re- ing Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Farrow, called Dr. Edelson, who did not know Mr. Will Ferrell, Dustin Hoffman, Helen Allen prior to that office visit. “‘I’m going Hunt, Sean Penn, Cybill Shepherd, Peter to put you in my next film.’ I thought, Weller, and Uma Thurman. ‘Yeah, right, I’ll be in the movies!’ ” Acting “allows some stress and tension DELSON The next day, Mr. Allen’s longtime cast- release,” said Dr. Edelson, who listed Jack- L. E ing director Juliet Taylor called Dr. Edelson ie Gleason, Red Skelton, Steve Allen, Lau- to confirm that Mr. Allen’s pledge was gen- rel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and ENNETH . K R uine and to inquire about his acting histo- the Three Stooges among his favorite D ry. Dr. Edelson’s “credits” included an act- comics/actors growing up. “It’s fun to be ing and singing role spontaneously cre- OURTESY in a summer-camp ‘It’s truly an ative and artistic in C version of “Damn avenue to express a film, especially Woody Allen (left) and Dr. Kenneth L. Edelson (standing at right) on the set of "Mighty Yankees” and danc- myself and be in a when I am told to Aphrodite" (1995). Seated are costars Peter Weller and Helena Bonham Carter. ing to Chubby real different role ad lib on the spot Checker’s “Twist” than in my normal for a scene that has On the set of “Deconstructing Harry,” going to be closed these next 2 days.’ The in a high school the- everyday life in just been set up for he spent a morning with Billy Crystal, patients then ask, ‘What, is he in another ater production. medicine.’ me,” he said. Robin Williams, Demi Moore, Julia Louis- Woody Allen film?’ ” “She just laughed, “That’s the fun Dreyfus, and Richard Benjamin. “I’m treat- Dr. Edelson always receives a personal not having been DR. EDELSON part, seeing how ed like a celebrity because I’m Woody’s invitation from Mr. Allen. “It’s usually in forewarned that I much I can stretch doctor, so the stars were as much taken the spring. He’ll say, ‘I’m writing some- was Woody’s dermatologist and not real- my lines! It’s truly an avenue to express with me as I was with them,” said Dr. Edel- thing now. I think I have a part for you ly an actor,” he said. myself and be in a real different role than son, who has been a member of the Screen that you are going to like,’ ” Dr. Edelson Dr. Edelson maintains that his sincere, my normal everyday life in medicine. It’s Actors Guild since 1990. “They got free said. “He knows that his movies could do warm bedside manner and quick wit a nice outlet.” skin advice, and I got free acting advice. It very well without me, but he knows how caught Mr. Allen’s attention during that Months before the filming of “Alice,” was a good barter system for me. Robin much I love it, and besides, I know I will first office visit. “It wasn’t anything I said Dr. Edelson had memorized his one line Williams did a whole number with me on never wind up on the cutting-room floor or did, it was just my persona,” he said. for the movie: “My beloved, my dream how many places we could inject collagen as I once made Woody a promise. “Woody is known for liking to take the come true.” While walking to the set with on him for ‘enhancement’ purposes! Imag- ‘Woody,’ I said, ‘if you cut . I’ll cut!’ He normal regular guy from everyday life Mr. Allen—a 10th-floor apartment in a ine hanging out with Billy Crystal and is very faithful to his cast and crew and and put him in his films. My patients al- prewar building on the Upper West Side Robin Williams together! I had trouble cares for me as his doctor and his actor. ways get a kick out of me. They often re- near Columbia University in New York— catching my breath from all the laughter.” Besides, the residual checks for $1.50 I get mark to me, ‘You’re a real funny guy.’ ” Dr. Edelson told him, “I’m ready for my One of his favorite roles was that of every 2 months help make up for the To date, he has appeared in 12 Woody line: ‘My beloved, my dream come true!’ ” Rabbi Kaufman in “Celebrity.” For his HMO fees!” ■ Allen films—more than any other actor— When they arrived in the lobby of the main scene, Mr. Allen told Dr. Edelson most recently as a screenwriter in “Cas- building ready to go on set, Mr. Allen that he is entering a green room backstage By Doug Brunk, San Diego Bureau sandra’s Dream” (2007). He describes his caught Dr. Edelson off guard and said, at a television station, where Klansmen roles as “cameo appearances with funny “You know what? Forget your line. I want and skinheads are already waiting to go on E-MAIL US YOUR STORIES lines.” His first character was a Christmas you to ad lib.” to a talk show, and to think of something party guest in “Alice” (1990). Dr. Edelson Rattled, Dr. Edelson collected his to say as he enters the room. “So, joking- Do you trade in your lab coat on the filmed a scene for his 13th Woody Allen thoughts in the bathroom of the apart- ly I enter and deliver my ad-libbed line: weekends for two-wheeled trans- film last month in New York City that will ment being used for the set. When it came ‘What? ... did the skinheads eat all the portation and leather? Is the highlight star Larry David, Patricia Clarkson, and time for filming his scene, he parlayed his bagels already?’ This got a big laugh.” of your year bike week at the beach? Evan Rachel Wood. 1 line into 10. As a Christmas present that Filming for each movie usually involves Other roles have included a doctor in year, Mr. Allen sent Dr. Edelson a video- a day or two of his time. Since most of Mr. Whether you enjoy taking leisurely “Husbands and Wives” (1992); the char- tape of all 26 out-takes of the scene. Allen’s movies are filmed in New York rides on a cruiser or prefer the speed acter Ken in “Mighty Aphrodite” (1995); “It was an amazing gift,” he said. “To see City, the impact on Dr. Edelson’s practice of a crotch rocket, we want to hear a bar mitzvah guest in “Deconstructing myself over and over again on that reel... is minimal. “My patients are used to it,” he your stories. Send an e-mail to Harry” (1997); a rabbi in “Celebrity” and it wasn’t reshot because of anything said. When they ask for an appointment [email protected]. (1998); a party guest in “Sweet and Low- I did wrong, of course!” “my secretary will sometimes say, ‘We’re Are Wi-Fi, Latte, and E-Mail Physician Marketing Tools of the Future? L ONG B EACH, CALIF. — As baby boomers bulge the of chronic conditions will become necessities he predict- ness success if they think like business people, according ranks of the nation’s elderly population, physicians are go- ed at the meeting, presented by SCAN Health Plan. to Dr. Czerwinski. Physicians need to look around at what ing to have to adapt to meet their expectations, Dr. Al- Dr. Czerwinski reflected on how times have changed baby boomers enjoy and expect from other businesses: fredo Czerwinski said at a conference on leadership and since Marcus Welby, M.D., made house calls and saw one Ǡ If they have to wait, cappuccino and free wireless ac- management in geriatrics. grateful patient per episode. These days, patients’ trust cess would be nice. Coming from a world in which they can get a latte in and confidence in their physicians, which are considered Ǡ They’re used to booking appointments on the Web. 20 seconds, lunch in less than a minute, and an oil change “the traditional hallmarks of care, are at an all-time low.” Ǡ They appreciate valet parking, and as they lose their in 45 minutes (or it’s free), they’re not going to like hear- Research shows that patients will switch doctors if it will ability to drive, they’re going to be more likely to choose ing that they won’t be able to see a doctor for 3 days or 3 save them $10 per month on their insurance plans. To the physician who subscribes to a transportation service. weeks, said Dr.