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Erik Palladino
by
Ruby Comer
Copyright © 2001
PopEntertainment.com.
All rights reserved. Posted: May 23, 2001.
My locks need to be trimmed so I swing to my
neighborhood salon, Shorty’s Barber Shop, because the first Wednesday of each month
they donate their day’s salary to one of my favorite AIDS organizations, LA Shanti.
As my hair is foiled in bleach and baked under the dryer, I feel this tap on my shoulder.
It’s Erik Palladino, the actor who plays Dr. Dave Malucci on the super hit TV series,
ER.
This handsome devil came into my line of sight when
he was a vee-jay on MTV. Since then, his puss has graced the small screen on such shows as
Murphy Brown, DiResta, Party of Five, and the features Can’t Hardly Wait
and U-571. For years Erik maintained long hair ("down to my nipples!")
and sang in the alternative rock band No Happy Faces along with his brother. Today
however, he is getting a 70s shag cut. We chew the fat at the blow dryers.
Didn’t I read that you recently attended
an AIDS benefit?
Yes. I’ve gone to many charity events –
not just AIDS ones.
And I think I read that you’ve lost
someone from AIDS?
Michael Jamison, my acting coach in college, died
in ’89. I was very close to him.
What are your thoughts on death?
I have a strong faith that there is a God and an
afterlife. I truly believe that when people die they go to a place that is better than
here. When death comes, it is a beautiful thing.
Nice thought, Erik.
(He glances off) Having a belief system in
a higher power is important. YOU are a higher power but a belief in something a little
bigger than self.
Do you use condoms?
I’ve lived with the same girl for a year and a
half so….
Can I mention her name?
Sure. Her name is Sarah Jane Potts. She played
Molly on TV’s Felicity.
So do you still use condoms in a relationship?
We try to -- but sometimes we don’t. We both
have had AIDS test, and get tested regularly.
Do you think there should be condom
distribution in schools?
Yeah, why not? Teens are going to have sex anyway,
so let’s try to protect them. Education is so important.
That’s a mouthful you just said. Yes,
education.
AIDS needs to be discussed. And it seems like
we’ve fallen into a little bit of a lull. The AIDS epidemic still needs to be on the
front burner. And it seems like the numbers are getting higher. Are they?
Sadly they are, Erik. The myth now that we have
cocktails is that AIDS is over.
The sooner that we get AIDS back out there -- like
discussions on shows Politically Incorrect and Nightline -- the more
attention will be brought to it. And the more attention that is brought to it, the more
educated people will be.
Nicely put. Now, Erik, I read where you like
being naked. Are you a nudist, an exhibitionist or both?
A pu pu platter of both.
Oh, I see. And where can I catch you in the
buff?
I like being nude in my backyard in the pool.
I wish I was your neighbor!
Come on over for a dip.
You name the night. Can I bring anything?
Just your smile, Ruby.
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Copyright © 2001
PopEntertainment.com.
All rights reserved. Posted: May 23, 2001.
