HE’S the star who appears to be ageing backwards – just like his film character Benjamin Button.
But an aesthetics expert has speculated that Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt may have had a secret facelift.
After studying two snaps of the actor – one on the red carpet in 2020 and one from Wimbledon earlier this year – Dr Jonny Betteridge, who runs jbaesthetics.com in London, says the changes to his appearance are “significant”.
“To have that degree of lift to the face and contour, especially in the mid and lower face, you can’t achieve those results through non-surgical methods,” he told The Sun.
While the actor has remained tight-lipped about how he stays looking so youthful – and there is no suggestion Brad has gone under the knife – other famous stars have felt the pressure to look perfect.
Some have even spoken frankly about their surgery experiences.
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Here plastic surgeon Tunc Tiryaki, consultant plastic surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, analyses the striking looks of male stars – from fillers and facelifts… to just good genes.
Zac Efron, 36
When the High School Musical actor appeared very different in 2021, fans speculated the heartthrob may have gone under the knife.
But his friend Kyle Sandilands denied this, saying: “It’s like getting a Picasso and having a kid finger paint all over it. Why bother?”
But Mr Tiryaki says while Efron might not have had surgery, he did look different, adding: “It looks like he has had dermal fillers in the cheeks, lips and jawline.”
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Simon Cowell, 64
The X Factor boss’s face has changed since he first rose to fame for his cutting comments on the talent show.
He says some of fans’ shock is down to too many anti ageing injections.
He told the Mirror: “I love watching ‘the Botox years’. All of us are like, ‘Christ, we had a lot that year. Not so much that year… maybe a bit too much that year’.”
Mr Tiryako said: “He’s certainly had Botox on the forehead. But he has possibly had cheek and jawline fillers, and potentially a facelift too.”
Tom Cruise, 61
The Mission Impossible actor had dental work to help his career reach dizzying heights, but previously told Playboy of surgery: “I haven’t, and I never would.”
In October 2021, he was spotted at a basketball game with an unusually puffy face, which Mr Tiryaki suspected could be down to fillers or a steroid treatment.
He said: “He was doing very well for a long time, possibly using systemic anti-ageing treatments.”
In more recent snaps, the swelling to his face appears to have diminished.
Elon Musk, 52
The South African billionaire has gained a lot since starting company PayPal in 2000.
Not only is he richer than most, his thatch has thickened out nicely too.
Mr Tiryaki said: “As far as hair transplantation goes, this is the gold standard. It looks very natural and well done.”
Daniel Craig, 55
The Bond actor appeared at the BAFTAs in 2018 looking noticeably different than before.
His appearance led fans to speculate whether he had Botox or fillers, with one quipping: “That frozen face will endure minimal . . . Eyefall.”
Some said he appeared “plastic” as he presented an award on stage, but Mr Tiryaki disagreed.
He said: “If Daniel has had anything done, it’s been done in a very natural way. It’s impossible to tell.”
Craig Revel Horwood, 59
Strictly judge Craig has spoken publicly about having a nose job aged 18 and an operation to remove his moobs.
Craig told podcast White Wine Question Time: “When I took the bandages off, I just started crying in the mirror because it was the first time I’d had a flat chest.”
Mr Tiryaki said: “We know Craig had a nose job in his youth and also a procedure to help his gynecomastia.
“He is likely to have had a touch of mid-face filler and forehead Botox.”
Mickey Rourke, 71
Diner actor Rourke saw his love of boxing ruin his good looks.
He says his nose was reconstructed using cartilage from his ear.
He told the Daily Mail in 2009: “I went to the wrong guy to put my face back together.”
Mr Tiryaki said: “A lot of this work has been reconstructive as Mickey says – for example, rebuilding his broken nose. However there are signs of a face lift and lip filler here, too.”
Marc Jacobs, 60
Designer Marc Jacobs told his fans about getting his facelift over Instagram with caption “#LiveLoveLift”.
Marc told Vogue shortly after: “Yes, I’m vain. I find there is no shame in being vain.”
Mr Tiryaki said: “Marc has been extremely honest about the work he’s had done. And he’s clearly chosen a skilled surgeon.
“This is a very neat facelift which has been beautifully executed.”
Two million men considering treatment
Figures from cosmetic clinic Uvence found two million men in the UK are considering a cosmetic treatment – with nonsurgical treatments which target the jawline, chin, and neck among the most popular.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic Tunc Tiryaki says he saw a 17 per cent increase on male procedures and treatments from 2020 to 2022.
He says men are being sold on plastic surgery as celebs show off the results.
Mr Tiryaki said: “Seeing celebrities, and social figures having surgery makes it more acceptable for them.
“Second, they are having more and more information on this topic and are getting convinced that they will look natural. This is the most important thing for male patients.”
But keeping men looking young comes with its own set of challenges.
Mr Tiryaki added: “Male plastic surgery is more delicate than female procedures.
“The first reason is even slight overcorrections have a feminising effect on facial procedures.
“On the other hand, female patients have a deeper understanding of the nature of aesthetic procedures, given the fact that they are dealing with these issues for longer time.
“They are more open to talk and discuss with their friends.”
Barry Manilow, 80
The Copacabana singer has undoubtedly changed since his glory days in the seventies.
But Barry denies ever having any cosmetic procedures to help with ageing.
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He told Jonathan Ross in 2016: “Really, this is what I look like. I don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.”
Mr Tiryaki said: “His face has changed substantially since his youth. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had undergone a facelift and topped this up with cheek fillers.”
