News hit earlier that Dr. Fredric Brandt, dermatologist to numerous stars from Madonna to Stephanie Seymour, had died on Sunday. Sadly, it now seems his death was a suicide.
A Miami police spokeswoman confirmed to Billboard on Monday afternoon (April 6) that Dr. Brandt’s death was a suicide, although it should be noted that the medical examiner has yet to officially determine cause of death.
Dr. Brandt, Likely Inspiration for ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ Parody, Found Dead
His publicist told the New York Post “he was suffering from an illness. Everyone who knows him is devastated.”
Miami Herald reporter Lesley Abravanel tweeted that Brandt was suffering from depression, according to her sources. She also said Brandt was “devastated” over comparisons to Dr. Franff on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a plastic surgeon portrayed by Martin Short that many took to be a parody of him.
Sources: Dr Fredric Brandt was “devastated” over comparisons to the protagonist on Tina Fey’s new Netflix show, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
— Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) April 5, 2015
Dr. Brandt’s publicist says he was suffering from an “illness”. Sources close say that illness was depression.
— Lesley Abravanel (@lesleyabravanel) April 5, 2015