NBCUniversalMedia(LOS ANGELES) — It was a recently admitted pipe dream of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases, to have Brad Pitt play him someday. On Saturday Night Live last weekend, Fauci’s wish came true — and he couldn’t help but praise the actor for his hilarious portrayal.
Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has become a leading and trusted voice during the COVID-19 pandemic. That sentiment was brought up during Pitt’s opening monologue, he made sure to profusely thank Dr. Fauci for how he’s been handling the ongoing pandemic.
Now, it’s Fauci’s turn to respond.
During a Monday appearance on Telemundo’s Un Nuevo Dia, the 79-year-old physician was asked his thoughts regarding Saturday’s episode.
Translated from Spanish, the doctor raved about the unexpected surprise, saying, “I think he did great!”
Dr. Fauci gushed further, “I’m a great fan of Brad Pitt, and that’s the reason why, when people ask me who I would like to play me, I mention Brad Pitt. He’s one of my favorite actors.”
Adding that he thinks the Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood star “is a classy guy,” Dr. Fauci mentioned how touched he was when Pitt, toward the end of his monologue, “took off his hair and thanked me and all of the health care workers.”
As for the context of Pitt’s bit, where the actor jokingly translated the meaning behind President Donald Trump’s many comments regarding the coronavirus, Fauci said “he did a pretty good job of putting everything together.”
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