A Stand-Up Guy: Marc Lurie (OD’75)
Are you familiar with the idiom “Anything for a laugh?” It describes Marc Lurie (OD’75). Born a beloved Buckeye, he moved to Florida shortly after graduation where he has built a life of fulfillment and, just as importantly, fun. Here’s his story.
- Question I know you do stand-up comedy. Have you always considered yourself funny?
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Answer
I’ve always enjoyed humor. As a boy and young man, I was the comedian of our entire family. It was my job to be the entertainment at any gatherings. It still is!
- Question How did you find your way onto the comedy stage?
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Answer
My lovely wife of 54 years, Robin, and I went on a cruise that featured a passenger talent show. I went to the audition and delivered three prepared jokes. I guess the cruise director liked them because he told me I was on for the next night! He called me up to the stage and introduced me to the audience as Dr. Marc Lurie, an optometric comedian.
- Question Were you nervous?
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Answer
As I looked out into the crowd of 1500 to 2000 people, with the high beam lights shining on me, I was feeling some very intense stomach butterflies. But I had always yearned for the opportunity to do my comedy routine. I thought “This is my chance!”
- Question How did it go?
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Answer
I started delivering my first joke, and upon coming to the punchline, the audience began laughing and clapping. Encouraged, I told my second joke and received the same response. I then told the crowd I had prepared three jokes, but the cruise director instructed me to only tell two, due to time constraints. Then I said to the crowd “If you guys applaud loudly, I will tell you the third one.” The applause was thunderous. I told the third joke, and they loved it. I’ve been smitten with the stage ever since.
- Question Where else have you performed?
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Answer
I’ve done standup comedy at a Club Med, a timeshare, and all-inclusive vacation spots. I also had the opportunity to perform at the Dania Improv Club. It was recorded by my cousin Madison and can be found on YouTube at go.osu.edu/Lurie. Fair warning: some of my humor can be a bit off color.
- Question Thanks for the advance notice. Would you say you have a certain style of humor?
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Answer
My style of comedy is to have prepared material and hopefully an excellent delivery to bring the joke to fruition.
- Question Has humor played a role in your relationship with your patients?
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Answer
Absolutely. Here are a few quick examples. After performing autorefraction, I say to the patient, “You can sit in the chair now.” When they sit in the patient’s chair, I remark “You know, you could have sat on my stool. Do you know what that would mean? You are the doctor! Are you prepared to examine me?” This usually gets a chuckle. If the patient is a lady, I will instruct her to place her purse on a chair and then comment “You never have to worry about your purse. Do you know why? Because at the end of the day, I sell used lady’s purses.” This usually gets a second chuckle. Then, I go to my exam room door and say to my receptionist, “Amanda, we are having fun in here, so don’t forget to add the entertainment fee to her bill.”
That humorous opening almost always makes a patient feel good and breaks any possible tension. I always follow this by reassuring the patient that I’m not only a comedian. I’ll point to my equipment and state, “I take your eyes very seriously and want to give you the best exam I can.”
- Question You’re now in Florida, but aren’t you originally from Ohio?
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Answer
I was born in Columbus, Ohio and was raised from day one as a Buckeye. My Buckeye passion has only intensified over the years.
- Question How did you find your way to the Ohio State College of Optometry?
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Answer
One of my favorite uncles wanted me to go into his practice as a partner in dentistry. As an undergraduate junior at Ohio State I took the dental boards. Afterward I met with the dean of the Ohio State College of Dentistry. He informed me that my intelligence scores were excellent, but my dexterity and depth perception were poor. I later found out that was due to me having a small angle exotropia. He advised me to go in another direction and recommended optometry. Optometry became the center of my life. I am so thankful to him for putting me on the correct path so that my passion and life’s work could be fulfilled. I was totally invested and received a wonderful undergraduate education at Ohio State and even better optometric education at the Ohio State College of Optometry.
- Question Have you been back to the college recently?
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Answer
I attended my 50th class reunion last fall. It was wonderful to see everyone. I was awarded the prize for being the only one still practicing full-time. I look forward to work because I enjoy the camaraderie with my patients. I am in a setting where I am my own boss, set my own schedule, and take time off as I desire, approximately 10 to 12 weeks of vacation per year. I’m still having fun practicing the profession I love. Life is good.
