A celebrity dermatologist/surgeon, Dr. Fredric Brandt, was found dead on Monday in his Miami home. Known for testing his treatments on himself, it’s believed that Brandt was the unofficial inspiration behind the zany plastic surgeon Martin Short played on Tina Fey’s Netflix hit Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt .
On the show, Martin Short wore silicone pieces over his face and a long thinning platinum blonde wig. Many people noticed the eerie similarity between Short’s Dr. Grant (pronounced Franff) and the real Dr. Fredric Brandt.
Back in March The Gloss pointed out how much the two looked alike.
“Yes, Dr. Grant looks eerily similar to Dr. Brandt, of Dr. Brandt Skincare. And given how similar their names are, too, I think it might be more than a mere coincidence.”
. @PageSix shows us where we’ve seen @TheKimmySchmidt ‘s Dr. Franff before… in real life! http://t.co/L7PxXQA0m6 pic.twitter.com/gwXpJcXVVQ
— Decider (@decider) March 30, 2015
Not only did Short mimic Dr. Brandt’s mannerisms, but on the show he’s referred to as both he and she. This confusion was profiled in an actual piece about Dr. Brandt in the New York Times .
At the time, the dermatologist/surgeon said, “You know, a lot of my patients say, ‘I wish I could look like you. I don’t know how to take that, since a lot of my patients are women,’” he added, before cocking his head back to let out a goofy, yelping laugh.
Although it was never officially said that Kimmy Schmidt modeled Martin Short’s character after Dr. Brandt, reports are coming forward that Dr. Brandt was devastated by the portrayal.
Reporter: Doctor Found Dead Was Devastated by Martin Short Impersonation http://t.co/2NCYHDgSVv
— Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) April 6, 2015
I just don’t see it. RT @lesleyabravanel : “Friends..(say) he was devastated over..the character in @TheKimmySchmidt ” pic.twitter.com/2PX7wT7Qyk
— rbdc (@rbrowndc) April 6, 2015
this has GOT to be the guy on whom Marty Short’s character was based on Kimmy Schmidt. #drfranff pic.twitter.com/jxVZ0zYKMi
— Katie Hilton (@iamkatiehilton) April 6, 2015
His publicist, Jacquie Trachtenberg released a statement confirming his death: “He passed away this morning. He was suffering from an illness. Everyone who knows him is devastated… I worked with him for over 20 years and he was an amazing man, not only was he a brilliant doctor, but he was the kindest human being.”
Brandt was known for having a booming skin care business and treated many high-profiled clients like Madonna and Stephanie Seymour. According to Miami Herald , Brandt was found dead by his Miami housekeeper.
[Image via Netflix]
