Top Actors with the Worst Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery can change careers as much as faces, and many actors have talked openly about procedures that did not go as planned or that they later reversed. Some dealt with botched work that required corrective operations, while others said the changes affected how casting directors and audiences saw them. A few emphasized medical reasons or accidents that led to reconstructive surgery, not cosmetic preferences. Here are actors whose highly discussed procedures shaped their public image and, in many cases, their professional choices.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke has said that injuries from his boxing years led to multiple facial surgeries, including reconstructive work on his nose and cheek area. He has described using cartilage grafts to repair damage and later undergoing revision procedures. The visible changes in his features became a frequent topic in interviews while he was promoting roles like those in ‘The Wrestler’. He has framed most of his operations as attempts to fix trauma rather than to chase a cosmetic ideal.

Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley was injected with industrial-grade silicone by an unlicensed practitioner and later required corrective treatments. Reports around the case detailed how the substance was not approved for medical use. She pursued multiple procedures to address the damage and remove or minimize the material. The incident is often cited in discussions about the risks of unregulated cosmetic work in Hollywood.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid has spoken about complications from breast augmentation and abdominal liposuction that left uneven results. She later underwent revision surgeries to smooth the contour and correct asymmetry. The experience affected her confidence and became a recurring media storyline during her appearances on reality and talk formats. She has used her platform to caution others about researching surgeons and potential outcomes.

Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith has talked about using fillers and then having them dissolved after realizing the results were not what she wanted. She described learning how certain injectables can alter facial movement on camera. After removal, she said the change helped restore a more natural look for casting. Her experience is often mentioned in industry pieces about on-screen subtleties and non-surgical cosmetic choices.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox has said she tried a range of fillers over time and eventually had them dissolved. She has explained that incremental touch-ups can add up until the effect becomes noticeable under studio lighting. Returning to a more natural appearance was a conscious decision tied to her work after ‘Friends’. She now talks about emphasizing skincare and less invasive approaches.

Kim Novak

Kim Novak faced intense attention after an awards appearance where observers noted signs of fillers or fat transfer. She later wrote about the pressure performers feel to look a certain way and defended personal medical choices. Commentaries used her case to examine ageism in casting and audience expectations. The conversation placed her legacy from ‘Vertigo’ alongside modern scrutiny of cosmetic procedures.

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey underwent rhinoplasty that significantly changed her appearance, and she has said casting directors no longer recognized her. The surgery became a pivotal moment in how she was perceived after ‘Dirty Dancing’. She has discussed the professional impact openly in interviews and memoir material. Her story is frequently cited when actors weigh how a single procedure can affect career branding.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers spoke candidly about having many procedures over decades, including facelifts, eyelid surgery, and injectables. She made the topic part of her comedy and documented aspects of her beauty routine in a feature documentary. Her openness provided rare detail about planning, recovery, and maintenance cycles. She helped normalize talking about cosmetic work in entertainment, even as critics debated the outcomes.

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds acknowledged cosmetic procedures such as eyelid surgery that changed how his eyes appeared on screen. He addressed public curiosity in memoirs and interviews while reflecting on the pressures facing male leads. Viewers and journalists tracked the timeline of his changes alongside later career roles. His case is often used to show that men face scrutiny similar to women in Hollywood.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson has discussed breast augmentation and later implant removal. She said health considerations and personal preference guided her decision to downsize. The change coincided with new projects beyond ‘Baywatch’ and appearances that focused less on pin-up branding. Her experience is referenced in conversations about reversals and the long-term maintenance of implants.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis has talked about liposuction and minor facial procedures, describing mixed feelings about the results. She has been outspoken about addiction risks around pain medication during recovery. In recent years she has emphasized embracing natural aging for on-camera work. Her comments are often cited in discussions about safe recovery practices after elective procedures.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan underwent reconstructive surgery following a facial injury from an on-set accident. She has said the operation altered her features and that she later needed additional work to balance the results. The experience highlighted differences between reconstructive and cosmetic goals in entertainment. She has used interviews to explain how medical necessity can interact with industry appearance standards.

Reid Ewing

Reid Ewing wrote about body dysmorphic disorder and a series of cosmetic surgeries he pursued in his early career. He described complications, financial strain, and the emotional cycle that pushed him toward additional procedures. His essay became a touchstone for mental health conversations tied to cosmetic choices. The actor’s account is frequently shared as a cautionary narrative for young performers.

Ashley Tisdale

Ashley Tisdale has said she had rhinoplasty to correct a deviated septum and improve breathing. She later addressed public speculation by explaining the medical reasons and recovery process. The change drew attention because of her teen-audience fame from ‘High School Musical’. She used social media to clarify details, which is now common when celebrities manage procedure rumors.

Tori Spelling

Tori Spelling has spoken about breast augmentation that left her with asymmetry and breastfeeding challenges. She discussed seeking medical advice about revisions and managing health concerns. Her account appears in many roundups on surgical risks for young actors. It also underscores how cosmetic choices can affect wellness beyond appearance.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has said she tried Botox and then stepped away from it for a period to allow more facial movement for roles. She discussed how injectables can influence performance in close-up shots. The commentary often appears in trade pieces about acting technique and subtle expression. Her experience is framed as a lesson in balancing appearance goals with on-screen demands.

Cher

Cher has acknowledged having cosmetic procedures and has spoken about maintaining a consistent look for touring and acting. She has explained how lighting, stage conditions, and filming schedules influence decisions. Her remarks are used to illustrate long-term planning for public figures who work across music and film. The conversation frequently centers on maintenance and recovery timelines.

Courtney Love

Courtney Love has talked about a rhinoplasty earlier in her career and later reflections on how it changed her features. She has addressed the subject while promoting acting roles and music projects. Her comments are referenced in pieces about 1990s celebrity aesthetics. Fans and journalists revisit her case when discussing early-career image management.

Renée Zellweger

Renée Zellweger has consistently denied having the procedures that were widely speculated about after a high-profile red carpet appearance. She wrote about privacy, media pressure, and how speculation can overshadow work in films like ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’. Her statements are used to highlight the limits of outside diagnosis from photos. The episode is often included in discussions about rumor, consent, and personal medical information.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone has addressed medical treatments related to nerve damage that affected one side of his face. Public interest in his appearance grew as he continued leading roles in ‘Rocky’ and ‘Rambo’. He has discussed how health history influenced decisions about any corrective work. The focus in profiles is typically on functional outcomes rather than cosmetic goals.

Share the actors you think should be added to this list in the comments.