• Home
  • Mail
  • Tumblr
  • News
  • Sports
  • Finance
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Answers
  • Groups
  • Mobile
  • More
Yahoo
    • Skip to Navigation
    • Skip to Main Content
    • Skip to Related Content
    • Mail
    Entertainment Home
    Follow Us
    • Diversity in Hollywood
    • Oscars
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Celebrity
    • Music
    • Videos
    • Movie Showtimes

    Liberace's Plastic Surgery Left Him Unable to Close His Eyes — Even While He Was Sleeping

    kimp
    Yahoo! TVMay 25, 2013
    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Leapin' Lizards, It's Liberace!
    View photos
    Liberace in the CBS special "Leapin' Lizards, It's Liberace!" (1978)

    One of the more bizarre scenes in HBO's movie, "Behind the Candelabra" — and this is a movie with no lack of surreal moments — is when piano-playing superstar Liberace pulls a painting of himself off his wall, shows it to his plastic surgeon, and asks the doctor to surgically make over Liberace's live-in lover, Scott Thorson, to look just like the performer.

    The doctor, Jack Startz (as played by a freakishly made-over Rob Lowe), does just that, but only after performing a face lift on Liberace (Michael Douglas) that left his face so tight that he couldn't fully close his eyes, even when he was sleeping (cue another of the movie's more bizarre scenes, as Matt Damon's Thorson tries to awaken a snoring Liberace, whose eyes make him look like he's still awake.)

    Did we mention the movie is not a work of fiction? It is based on Thorson's newly rereleased 1988 memoir, "Behind the Candelabra" (Tantor Media), which details his drama-filled relationship with the late, bedazzled star.

    [Video: Teary Michael Douglas Calls Return to Work in Liberace Movie a 'Beautiful Gift' After Cancer Battle]

    Liberace, who was nearly 40 years older than Thorson when the then-18-year-old moved in with him, began his most elaborate round of cosmetic surgery in 1979, after he saw how he looked during an appearance on "The Tonight Show."

    He and Thorson, at a happy place in their relationship, had spent a year traveling through Europe and enjoying the local cuisine at every stop. A scene in the movie shows them happily channel surfing and noshing on popcorn — both having put on a few pounds — until Liberace sees himself on TV. "I look like my father in drag!" he tells Thorson.

    Liberace's hairstylist put him in touch with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Jack Startz, who was known for his work with silicone injections, and whose clientele including many of the city's rich and famous. Startz recommended a face-lift, eye lift, and silicone injections plus a face peel after the surgery.

    [Related: 'Behind the Candelabra,' the Book: The 12 Best Revelations from Liberace's Former Lover]

    Then, as depicted in yet another of the movie's most memorable scenes, Liberace fetched a painting of himself and showed it to Startz, asking the doctor to make Thorson look like the painting.

    View photos

    Liberace decided he should get his face work done first — so that Thorson would be able to take care of him. Thorson, Startz had decided, also needed to lose a few pounds before surgery, which led to the doctor's prescription of the California Diet. It was a plan that amounted to Startz doling out written prescriptions for various drugs — pharmaceutical cocaine and amphetamines among them, Thorson writes in his book. They helped Thorson shed pounds but gain an addiction to the drugs.

    Helene Ballas, Startz's office manager, recently told Allure.com that Liberace's biggest concern before his procedures was that he was going to have to remove his wig (a concern he addresses in another funny scene in the film), but both he and Thorson were unaware of just how many problems Startz himself was juggling.

    Financial struggles, growing concerns about the safety and efficacy of his silicone injections, and his own drug issues would eventually lead to the end of Startz's business. In 1985, he committed suicide.

    [Related: Rob Lowe Suffered Migraines to Transform His Handsome Face for 'Behind the Candelabra']

    Years before he had even met with Liberace and Thorson, and dispensed the drugs that Thorson maintains led to his lifelong drug issues, Startz had gone to rehab for his own drug addictions, Ballas told Allure.com. Thorson, meanwhile, told Larry King in a 2002 interview that Startz even drank alcohol during his surgical session with Liberace.

    As for the results of Startz's work on Thorson and Liberace, a nose job, a chin implant, and cheekbone work did result in the then-20-year-old Thorson resembling his lover, who wanted his "blond Adonis" to look like him because he had considered adopting the younger man. "He wanted me as his son. But at the same time, he wanted me as his lover," Thorson told King.

    And though Liberace was initially pleased with his surgery results — which Thorson wrote made the performer appear 20 years younger — Liberace's eyes had changed "in appearance and function," Thorson wrote in his book. "He couldn't close his lids completely. They remained slitted open even when he struggled to keep them shut. At night, when he slept, his eyes would open slowly, and that's the way they would stay … it was odd to wake up at night and see him in bed beside me sleeping soundly … odd and a little frightening."

    [Video: When Liberace Battled Batman and Taught the Hulk How to Tickle the Ivories]

    Today, Thorson is battling cancer and is currently incarcerated in a Reno, Nevada, jail after being charged with burglary and identity theft in February 2013. He told Larry King he had the chin implant removed more than a decade ago, but with age, he has come to resemble Liberace more than ever.

    "Behind the Candelabra" premieres May 26 at 9 PM on HBO.

     

    Reblog
    Share
    Tweet
    Share

    What to Read Next

    • Double de-masking! Latest 'Masked Singer' celebs are Hollywood and boy-band royalty

      Yahoo Music
    • Chris Cuomo concerned about his family after showing up on Coast Guard officer's hit list

      Yahoo TV
    • Jordyn Woods Moving Out of Kylie Jenner's House After Tristan Thompson Cheating Scandal

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Fiancé of Missing Colo. Mom Beat Her With Bat After Blindfolding Her for Candle Smell Test: Nurse

      People
    • Khloé Kardashian 'is done' with Tristan Thompson after Jordyn Woods cheating scandal

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Reba McEntire calls out ACM Awards after announcing only men were nominated for Entertainer of the Year

      Yahoo Music
    • Why Friends Say Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin Are a Good Match: She's 'Happier Than Ever'

      People
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Torches 'Wack' Attack Billboard With A Scene From 'The Office'

      HuffPost
    • Kylie Jenner Is 'Extremely Upset' With Jordyn Woods Following Tristan Thompson Cheating Scandal

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Miranda Lambert's new husband: Shocking claims emerge about Brendan McLoughlin's past

      AOL.com
    • Kylie Jenner Cashing in on Jordyn Woods & Tristan Thompson Hookup Drama

      TheBlast
    • The Supreme Court Just Stopped Local Sheriffs From Carjacking to Pay the Bills

      Esquire
    • Blake Shelton 'grateful every day' he's not with Miranda Lambert anymore: report

      AOL.com
    • Girl, 11, Was Abducted and Killed in 1973 on Walk Home From School — and DNA Leads to Arrest

      People
    • Kim Kardashian Unfollows Tristan Thompson and Jordyn Woods on Instagram Amid Cheating Allegations

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Man Dies After Porta Potty Catches Fire Outside of Baltimore Ravens Football Stadium

      People

    Trump 'fear-mongering' fuels rise of U.S. hate groups to record: watchdog

    Who Cares: "The SPLC, which has tracked hate groups since 1971, found there were 1,020 operating in the United States in 2018, breaking the 1,018 record set in 2011. It marked the fourth consecutive year of growth. The group blamed Trump, whose administration has focused on reducing illegal and legal immigration into the United States." 2 additional hate groups above the maximum set in 2011, yet they're all Trumps fault. Cool story bro.

    Join the Conversation
    1 / 5

    4.1k

    • Buzz Aldrin Fighting Son Over Control of His Money in Nasty Family Battle

      TheBlast
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls Out CNN Over Hiring Ex-Jeff Sessions Spokeswoman

      The Wrap
    • Beyoncé And Jay-Z Accept Brit Award In Front Of Royal Meghan Markle Portrait

      HuffPost
    • Jussie Smollett Arrested After Turning Himself in to Chicago Police

      TheBlast
    • Roseanne Barr slams U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her politics and her looks

      Yahoo Celebrity
    • Kylie Jenner Says Her Family Cut Her Off Financially at Age 15: 'None of My Money Is Inherited'

      People
    • Kim Kardashian Slams Fast Fashion Brands for Knocking Off Her Looks: 'It's Devastating to See'

      People
    • Jussie Smollett Charged With Felony Disorderly Conduct: The Internet Reacts to Alleged Hoax

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Meet Miranda Lambert's New Husband Brendan McLoughlin: Inside His Life Before Marrying the Singer

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Khloe Kardashian Makes Her First Public Appearance Since Tristan Thompson Split

      Entertainment Tonight
    • Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Matchmaker Gets Royal Shove from Duchess’ Security

      TheBlast
    • Kelsey Berreth case: Investigators reveal gruesome, new details in murder

      Yahoo View
    • Jussie Smollett Arrested, in Custody of Chicago Police

      Variety
    • Meghan Markle Leaves New York in Sporty Style After Whirlwind Baby Shower

      People
    • Harper Beckham, 7, Made Her Brother Brooklyn and His Girlfriend Hana Cross Breakfast in Bed

      People
    • Miranda Lambert and New Husband Will Do Long Distance

      Inside Edition CBS