Michael J. Roth started his adult life at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In addition to his under graduate studies Michael, who loved ballroom dancing managed to get hired by Broadway tour groups for local shows. He was in Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, and West Side Story to name but a few. This opened and nurtured the performing arts side of the physician in training.
But as Michael J. Roth worked his way through medical school and his internship also at the University of Michigan the inner thespian gave way to the world of Gray’s Anatomy the book, not the television series. But when it came time for him to take his Fellowship in his chosen specialty of Immunology he made what likely proved to be one of the most critical changes of his life. He had wanted to remain in Ann Arbor however he applied too late for that Fellowship. Through some friends he eventually found his way to the University of California at Irvine. Welcome to California.
He went into the practice of medicine first in Santa Monica, California where one day he received a provocative phone call from a Dentist. Would he, Michael J. Roth, MD, be willing to visit the dentist’s patient at her home? The dentist went on to explain that he wanted to make certain that the patient was not allergic to various anesthetic drugs he would be using on his patient. The good doctor then explained to the dentist that for such purposes a house call would not work anyhow as necessary materials would be lacking. But the good doctor was intrigued by the dentist who went on to ask if he, the good doctor might agree to see the patient in the dental office. “Why is this so important to you?” inquired the good doctor. “Well doc, I don’t want Elizabeth Taylor dying in my dental office,” replied the dentist. Michael J. Roth agreed.
Shortly after that first introduction to Elizabeth Taylor, Michael J. Roth, MD was asked to be Ms. Taylor’s personal physician. He cheerfully accepted that appointment and spent many years at the side of arguably the biggest star to have ever shined in Hollywood. When one enjoys the regular company of a star as bright as Elizabeth Taylor one is exposed to all manner of deeply interesting people, places and things. One story Michael tells is of a conference he attended with Elizabeth Taylor in Florence, Italy. As he and Elizabeth were strolling down the street they came upon one of Italy’s most famous designer boutiques. In the window was a stunning red coat. Michael said to Elizabeth, “That coat would be beautiful on you.” Elizabeth said she agreed and then told Michael to go into the store and ask them to give her the coat. True super stars I have learned think that way. You don’t really think all those beautiful women who walk the red carpet in front of Hollywood’s Kodak Theater every spring actually buy their gowns and jewels do you?
But as much as Michael J. Roth, MD was enjoying living in the life style of the rich and famous on the professional level he was being deeply challenged. A strange new disease came upon the scene and challenged the best medical minds. This disease was fast and very deadly. That disease became known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or simply AIDS. Michael J. Roth, MD found himself in the forefront of finding successful ways to deal with this horrible new disease that was killing an ever increasing number of people. Medical research takes both time and money. When his prime personal patient learned of battle she, Elizabeth Taylor gave tirelessly or her time and generously of her money to help find the cure.
After 25 years, many of them battling on the front lines against AIDS Michael J. Roth was just plain exhausted. He never contracted HIV but in its own way AIDS was killing him. He hung up his medical practice and found a new path to follow; the movies.
Suddenly his thespian tendencies repressed by medical school were once again allowed to flourish. He had cut his teeth as Medical Advisor on the 1985 made for NBC movie "Early Frost" with Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara and Aiden Quinn. That was the first film to deal squarely with the subject of AIDS. But his first film project was RELAX…IT’S JUST SEX. That 1995 movie Directed and written by P. J. Castellaneta and starring Mitchell Anderson, Jennifer Tilly, Lori Petty and Terrence “T.C.” Carson launched the new career of former AIDS warrior and now movie maker Michael J. Roth, MD.
Armed with a sharp mind, a passionate heart, a decent amount of money and a huge rolodex Michael J. Roth soon joined with long time friend Steven J. Wolfe who had earlier formed Sneak Preview Entertainment. Sneak Preview Entertainment produced several films perhaps most notably (500) Days of Summer produced for Fox Searchlight Films which earned both critical acclaim and box office success.
But Michael J. Roth is not a man to rest on his laurels. It is true he had indeed been the long time personal physician to one of Hollywood’s true giants, and yes he had been a key player in beating back the ravages of AIDS. His new movie ventures were successful, but he is not even close to being ready to stop. He is working closely with an up and coming screen writer and actor Jason Lockhart and has plans for making at least two movies based on Lockhart’s scripts. He is also working on two film musicals, one amazingly based upon a USC Film School thesis short. That project entitled "Zombie Prom" was produced by USC film student Vince Marcello mentored by Wes Craven and based on the off Broadway hit musical of the same name starring the amazing Kristen Chenowith.
The story of Michael J. Roth, MD is a rich and fascinating story, but this is only the beginning. He has promised me more in the days ahead and so I can promise you more as well. His story is one of those “behind the scenes stories” that makes up the true backbone of America’s great film industry. The celebrities get most of the ink and face time, but it is men and women like Michael J. Roth, MD who beat down a deadly disease and then go on to make things really happen here in tinsel town. If the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ever create a category for best humanitarian I have no doubt but that Michael J. Roth, MD would win an Oscar. But I fully expect that sooner rather than later one or more of his films will bring that honor to him.
There will be more on Michael J. Roth and others like him as well as reviews of shows and other real Hollywood inside stories so do take the New York minute required to subscribe to this EXAMINER. You also want to visit my website at www.ronirwin.net.
And a special note to all you filmmakers, time is running out to submit your project to the 2011 Burbank International Film Festival, so hurry up and check it out at www.burbankfilmfestival.org.
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