LOS ANGELES, March 4 (UPI) -- Kevin Kline and Jon Lovitz have filmed a public service announcement to promote diabetes awareness, the healthcare company Novo Nordisk said Friday.
The PSA -- written and directed by Jerry Zucker ("Ghost," "Airplane!") -- is targeted at the estimated 5 million Americans who have diabetes but do not know it. It features Kline as Fred, a man who tries to persuade a reluctant Ed (Lovitz) to get tested for diabetes.
The spot is part of the Diabetes Aware educational campaign, sponsored by Novo Nordisk and the Entertainment Industry Foundation -- a charitable organization of show business professionals led by such stars as Pierce Brosnan, Warren Beatty, Katie Couric and Michael J. Fox.
Zucker said Kline and Lovitz are a "great" comedy team.
"They use humor to defuse fears about going to the doctor," he said. "The surprise ending of Fred and Ed being ghosts is a powerful way to convey our central message: Talk to your doctor about diabetes and get tested before it is too late."
Zucker and his wife, producer Janet Zucker, are honorary chairs of Diabetes Aware. They have promoted diabetes awareness since their daughter was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago.
