Five Things You Need to Know About Late Plastic Surgeon to the Stars Dr. Frank Ryan

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon suffers tragic and untimely death in car crash. Find out why Hollywood is in mourning

By Gina Serpe Aug 17, 2010 8:01 PMTags
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You may not be able to place the name, but you almost certainly could place the face. And the famous faces he's helped sculpt.

Last night, plastic surgeon to the stars Dr. Frank Ryan suffered a tragic, untimely death when his 1995 Jeep Wrangler veered off the Pacific Coast Highway and rolled over onto its roof.

While toxicology tests won't be back for weeks, preliminary autopsy results suggest the 50-year-old died of blunt force trauma due to the impact. The coroner has listed the death as an accident, and while reports say his accident came after he was texting, the CHP says those reports are, for now, "erroneous."

That much—if you've got a working Internet connection and a vague interest in celebrity—you most likely already know. Here's what you don't:

1. He's Got Celebrity Pedigree: Ryan's patient list reads like a who's who of nipped and tucked stars. Found nestled within his Rolodex are Gene Simmons, Janice Dickinson, Adrianne Curry, Shauna Sand, Vince Neil, Lisa Gastineau, Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, Miss California USA 2010 Nicole Johnson, Lorenzo and Shayne Lamas, Kristin Cavallari (who underwent tattoo removal with the doctor), and, most recently, one of Cavallari's friends, plenty of whom have already paid tribute to the late doctor:
Stephanie Pratt: "Devastating news about Dr. Frank Ryan. He was such a sweet man with such an amazing heart. :( :( :( rip :( :( praying for his family."
• Adrianne Curry: "just found out about my dr&friend Frank Ryan dying in a car accident.i spent a lot of time w/him&he was a good person.Handsome&deep. RIP"
Denise Richards: "@lisa: RT @GarthFisherMD: Horrible news. A Colleague died n car accident yesterday:(reminder not to text, or b distracted when u drive"
Brittny Gastineau: "I am devastated...lost one of the most amazing human beings in this world. I am in shock...R.I.P Dr Frank Ryan not only were you a amazing doctor but you were a best friend to us and you will be missed...."
• Janice Dickinson, via publicist: "She is stunned and wants the world to know what a genius Dr. Ryan was. Her love goes out to his mother and the rest of the family."

2. He Was More Than Ready for His Close-Up: No stranger to a sound bite, Ryan was Hollywood's go-to man not only for the occasional, um, tweak, but also as an expert talking head. Ryan has made the rounds on The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Doctors, Nightline, Good Morning America and CNN in recent years. He also made numerous appearances on E! News and Daily 10, and was no stranger to the rest of the network, having popped up on The Girls Next Door, as well as with various other E! shows. And we were happy to have had him.

3. His Hands Worked Wonders, but So Did His Heart: In 1994, the Dr. Frank Ryan Foundation was formed with the mission to help underprivileged and underserved kids and teens reach their full potential. The good doctor put his trade to good use at the foundation, as among other life training workshops, he helped remove gang-related tattoos and scarring. The Foundation also hosts regular day camps and overnight trips at Malibu's Bony Pony Ranch.

4. He Stayed Connected Until the End: Ryan had an active Twitter account, and had tweeted throughout his final day. His last message was posted roughly a half hour before his passing: "After 25 years of driving by, I finally hiked to the top of the giant sand dune on the pch west of Malibu. Much harder than it looks! Whew!" He also managed to keep good company, with Tori Spelling and Jon Lovitz among his close pals. He tweeted about the latter just days before his death. "I was talking with my pal jon lovitz yesterday and was reminded how he is one of those innately funny individuals—no script necessary."

5. Man's Best Friend Remained Loyal: Ryan was accompanied on that final hike with his dog. Just a half-hour before his death, he posted a photo of his four-legged friend on Twitter: "Border collie jill surveying the view from atop the sand dune," he wrote. Jill was seriously injured in the crash, but managed to survive. She is currently being treated at a veterinary hospital.

—Additional reporting by Ken Baker

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