michael jackson 1984 accident
Authorities confirmed they are questioning several physicians who treated Jackson in the past, including Murray, the cardiologist who was in Jackson's home when he died. The raw footage shot for a Pepsi commercial on Jan. 27, 1984 at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium and obtained by Us Magazine, shows Jackson descending a flight of stairs when the pyrotechnics on stage go off early and engulf the singer's head in flames. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. He's fortunate that there were no injuries to his face," Dr. Steve Hoefflin told reporters at the time of the accident. 1967: Three astronauts die in Apollo 1 tragedy, 1944: Leningrad siege ends after 900 days. (-/AFP/Getty Images), "He had something on his head, it wasn't a bandage, but there was something wrapped around," Paul Cottrell, a parking lot attendant, said. "Michael is quite shocked. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Corner subpoenaed Jackson's medical records from Klein and said they were questioning several other physicians as well. US magazine, which contains pictures of the incident, hits newsstands Friday. Pepsi and the family talked and they all came to the conclusion that it would be better not to because when you watch it, its frightening.. A senior law enforcement official confirmed to ABC News that Jackson was "heavily addicted" to the painkiller Demerol and received "daily doses" of OxyContin. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Usmagazine.com has exclusive, never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercial accident, filmed in L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 27, 1984.. WATCH THE PEPSI VIDEO. NEW YORK - Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. He was known to wear wigs in public after the mishap. "At this time, I don't think skin grafts are necessary.". The group performed 55 concerts to an audience of approximately 2 million. Yes, the doctors gave him medicine," but told the interviewer that to say this incident alone was the cause of what came later was not justified. Click here to upload yours. Indeed, he projects a personality of wide-eyed, vaguely androgynous innocence. It might have retarded the effect, he told Access. The raw footage shot for the Pepsi commercial was shot on Jan. 27, 1984, at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium. Michael Jackson's daughter Paris exposes naked boob in cut-out dress on night out; Read More Related Articles. Michael did some stretches to warm up, as the lights lowered in the house. It is because of this event that the star began wearing black wigs in later life. Jackson suffered second- and third-degree burns to his scalp and the back of his head, prompting him to begin using and then abusing painkillers, he would later admit. At first Jackson, wearing a sequined shirt, jacket and signature glove -- continues to dance unaware as flames and smoke emanate from his hair. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. It was this video that helped "Thriller" become the biggest selling album of all time. Funeral services will be held at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Jackso The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident. Donald Donester, who was an eyewitness to the horrifying disaster posted on Us Weeklys Web site, believes it was the videos director, Bob Giraldi, who told Michael to wait on the platform where the pyrotechnics exploded too soon, catching the singer on fire. LOS ANGELES Superstar singer Michael Jackson suffered second-degree burns on the scalp last night while filming a multi-million-dollar soft drink commercial featuring fireworks, which ignited his jacket and hair. "If you talk to anyone who knew him, well, they'd tell you the same thing -- he was a really good guy," Brando said. The truth is that the Pepsi incident was not Jackson's only on-stage accident. Marc Schaffel, a former associate of Jackson, however, said it was not a spider bite but a problem caused by a broken IV needle. The newly released footage of the harrowing events of Jan. 27, 1984, when Michael Jackson caught on fire while shooting a spot for Pepsi, has raised new questions about who may be responsible for the accident. Michaels commercial agent at the time, Jay Coleman, revealed Michael wanted to release this footage 25 years ago. The multimillionaire's album "Thriller" has just entered the Guinness book of records as the best selling LP of all time. Michael Jackson had a fire accident on 27 January 1984 when he was shooting a Pepsi commercial, with which the Jackson 5 signed a lucrative deal for 5 million dollars. Hoefflin is now retired and could not be reached by ABC News.com. Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. It is also alleged that the medication used to treat the pain on his head began a lifelong drug dependency. Jackson's brothers, who were making the commercial with him, rushed to help smother the flames, she said. In an accident so surreal it could happen only to him, Michael was dancing down a staircase at L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 27, 1984, when a smoke bomb ignited two feet from his pomaded . The needle broke off.". It was the only tour with all six Jackson brothers, even though Jackie was injured for some of it. Donester said the hair products Jackson was wearing might have actually slowed the burning. Some absolutely atrocious accidents have befallen musicians over the years, including Jackson. Greek media at the time also spoke about a serious mechanical failure as the cause of that accident. Still, regardless of the cause, Jackson underwent treatment to hide the scars and had his third nose job shortly thereafter. Thats not true. Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? In ultimate secrecy, Jackson was switched with his clone. And after seeing the damage to Jackson's head and face, everyone else on the set wondered what that type of injury would mean for the King of Pop. Witnesses reported that Jackson's hair and jacket caught fire when he moved too close to a pyrotechnics display behind him while dancing on a tiered stage at the Shrine Auditorium to his hit single "Billie Jean.". The terrible events happened on January 27, in 1984, at a studio in California, Jackson suffered these burns on his scalp and face, leaving him permanently scarred. The burns and hair loss associated with the accident have been cited as the beginning of Jackson's painkiller addiction. In the fall of 83 he and his Jackson Five brothers signed a $5 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo that would include, among other promotions, Michael appearing in commercials pushingthe soft drink. (1987-1989) The Victory Tour was a concert tour of the United States and Canada by the Jacksons from July to December 1984. July 15, 2009 -- Never-before-seen footage of a 1984 commercial shoot shows Michael Jackson's hair accidentally catching fire, an incident that would lead to a decades-long addiction to sedatives . Police investigating Jackson's June 25 death have confirmed that his home was filled with powerful prescription drugs including the painkillers Oxycontin and Demerol and the hospital-grade anesthetic Diprivan. In 1993, in a statement denying allegations that he had molested a child, Jackson admitted he was hooked on prescription drugs since the accident and would enter rehab. The explosion was set off sooner than ever before. Following the incident, Jacksonhis head bandaged and seen smiling even as he was in painwas rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. But it was also made up of unfortunate events that were, quite frankly, out of Jackson's personal control, and which, some have argued, would shape the course of his life. His jacket also caught on fire. "It wasn't a spider bite. In the fall of '83 he and his Jackson Five brothers signed a $5 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo that would include, among other promotions, Michael appearing in commercials pushing the soft drink. ", As he described the accident, he wrote: " bombs went off on either side of my head, and the sparks set my hair on fire. July 15, 2009, 10:08 AM. Detective Scott Smith, a detective at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), told the film: The thing that was odd that I found myself periodically looking at was his head, his scalp. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Today, a representative for Pepsi told EW's Music Mix that authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. A kid (Alfonso Ribeiro) dances with Michael Jackson and The Jacksons. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? His album Thriller, gained huge acclaim by the end of 1982. This medication was initially prescribed to sooth the excruciating pain that I was suffering after recent reconstructive surgery on my scalp," the singer said at the time in a statement. This was how he looked during the 1990s (circa 91 - 93). For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Jackson died at his California home after being administered prescription drugs, He had become hooked on the drugs after a being burned in a 1984 accident, Jackson's autopsy report noted the damage to his scalp, A patch of burned skin was visible on Jackson's head after the 1984 accident, Police found large quantities of prescription drugs in Jackson's home, Jackson's rooms were also littered with strange notes, Michael Jackson had so much Propofol in his system it would drop a rhino, detectives working at death scene reveal, Michael Jackson death cops reveal bizarre state of his body on 10th anniversary of his death, Inside sinister rise of pink cocaine sweeping UK nightclubs as warring cartels battle to control 'Coca Cola of drugs', How 'deluded' Putin thought Ukraine invasion would break up Nato & have West bowing down to Russia, leaked docs show, Leicester 'explosion': Listen to massive 'sonic' boom that shook homes and rattled windows, 'Bubbly' nightclub worker, 31, killed after her Audi crashed into a bridge on her way home from work. One which made headlines at the time and which has stuck in the collective memory Jackson's terrible accident in January 1984, when the King of Pop was on stage in Los . DON'T MISSMichael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley: When did they marry? According to i News, the cause of Jackson's death was an overdose of a cocktail of prescription painkillers, drugs to which Jackson had been addicted for years, and which were readily given to the singer in vast quantities by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. Three thousand fans saw a firework display erupt behind the . With Catherine Duskin, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson. He admitted to administering propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia, despite propofol not being approved for use as a sleep aid. Copyright 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The then 25-year-old Jackson was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. It was later determined that the pomade Jackson used in his hair was the culprit, catching fire when he neared the fireworks. Peroni Nastro Azzurro Terzo Tempo, un'esperienza unica tra sport, musica, cucina italiana e ovviamente birra! 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. How long have Keir Starmer and Sue Gray been secretly cooking up their plot? It didn't go well: At the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, in front of an audience of 3,000, assembled to create the concert environment, Michael was dancing to his hit "Billie Jean.". Jackson was then taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre located in Los Angeles. Kevin Mazur/WireImage. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Michael Jackson is wheeled into Brotman Merorial Hospital after he was burned filming a soft drink commercial featuring fireworks, which set his jacket and hair on fire. Copyright 2023 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A source discussing the autopsy at the time commented: He was skin and bone, his hair had fallen out, and he had been eating nothing but pills when he died.. Michael Jackson's hair briefly caught fire during filming for the Pepsi commercial. He was also prescribed a number of different painkillers, as well as a powerful sedative which was used to calm his nerves, and help him sleep. "He was just an extraordinary human being.". Because whenever he was out in public he was wearing a wig. Hardly any hair at all on the sides. Jacksons brothers quickly helped to extinguish the flames and Michael seen by his fans with his scalp glowing and smoke billowing from his head. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Despite his horrifying experience Jackson did something incredible with his compensation money. Michael Jackson, seen here in 2005, was taken to UCLA Medical Center in cardiac arrest Thursday. Inside sick Honeytrap plot that left man dead after women seduced and drugged him to steal his Rolex watches, Man had sex with his wife on bollard after fuming neighbour placed it in cul-de-sac in protest during parking row, Man, 42, killed after being hit by digger as driver arrested for gross negligence manslaughter, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). At the time, Jackson was just 25-years-old, and was already a solo star, but returned to his family roots on this occasion. The video below shows two takes - in the first the explosion . Us Weekly, which contains pictures of the incident, hits newsstands Friday. So the initial autopsy didnt show much. Police have confirmed that several doctors who treated Jackson and are believed to have prescribed him drugs are being questioned or will be questioned. Jackson, who was photographed in an ambulance with a bandage on his head and his trademark sequined white glove on his right hand, required several surgeries and needed skin grafts to treat the injury. NEW YORK -- Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. Michael Jackson wins favourite soul/R&B artist at the American Music Awards in 1981. The video was the last video filmed for Jackson's album of the same name. Three thousand fans saw a firework display erupt behind the superstar, showering him in sparks and setting light to his hair. Michael Jackson said injuries from this 1984 fire led to his drug addiction. Michael is calling upon all networks to pull the video." Michael Jackson was at the height of his fame in the 1980s as he released some of his biggest and best-selling albums - including Thriller, and Bad. Murray, who said he had been trying to wean Jackson off the drugs at the time of his death, served two years of a four-year sentence. As a child, Michael Jackson had worn his hair in an afro, making him look taller. In the video, one can easily observe a large red bald spot in the center of Jackson's head after the flames have been extinguished. "It was done by the book.". Micheal's third child was born to a mystery mother in 2002. A short deliberation followed, before Pepsi compensated the singer with $1.5 million. He told me yesterday he was directed by Bob Giraldi in the final take to remain along side the fireworks until after the explosion, Brando said in a 1984 press conference. "This medication was initially prescribed to treat excruciating pain I suffered after recent reconstructive surgery on my scalp," he said in 1993. Donald Donester, who was an eyewitness to the horrifying disaster posted on Us [] Exact date yellow weather warning for snow and ice forecast to hit UK - will you be affected? When Michael Jackson's hair accidentally caught on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in early 1984, the resulting 2nd and 3rd degree burns foreve. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. The 25-year-old entertainer was singing his hit "Billie Jean" for a Pepsi Cola commercial in Los Angeles when the special effects went wrong. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Instar. The performer's image was dealt a severe blow when he was accused of abusing Jordy Chandler at his Neverland ranch in 1993. Hair product may not exacerbate it sometimes. In 2002, Jackson was ordered to undergo a medical examination after he failed to show up in a California courtroom in a trial over breach of contract because the pop star said he had a spider bite. In this Jan. 27, 1984 file photo, singer Michael Jackson looks out from an ambulance as he arrives at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City, after suffering second-degree burns on his scalp . Michael Jackson, standing behind one of his brothers, at the moment his hair caught on fire (Photo via YouTube). So that may have retarded the hair from being burned as quickly.. He was relatively healthy. Jackson's spokesperson Ramone Bain said: "Michael Jackson feels that Eminem has crossed the line. In 2002, Jackson was ordered to undergo a medical examination after he failed to show up in a California courtroom in a trial over breach of contract because the pop star said he had a spider bite. Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009), also commonly known as MJ, was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Jackson suffered second degree burns in 1984 after his hair caught while filming an advert for Pepsi, with whom he and his brothers had signed a record-breaking 4million contract. He had the property redesigned to replicate a fun and exciting wonderland . A long check list: Microphones, wires, wardrobe changes, towels, song list, ice, Gatorade, fans, grease paints, powder. At the time, the money was said to be earmarked for research into burn treatment, but Sherman said the burn center received no operating money from the fund. Also, certain Michael Jackson fanzines that were published in the . But Brando said he never once saw the evidence of drug abuse that many have pointed to in the two weeks since Jackson died, including track marks on his arms and legs, reportedly from intravenous prescription drug use. "You don't know if he is going to be OK or not.". Michael is believed to have begun his addiction to painkillers after undergoing a series of scalp surgeries around three months after the incident. Michael realized it was an accident and had no ill will towards anyone including Pepsi, Coleman told Access. All rights reserved. The King of Pop shot the explosive commercial with some of his brothers from the Jackson Five, wherein a commercial was being shot showcasing the familys exceptional talent. However, tragedy struck in 1984 during a $5 million deal with Pepsi to work on a promotional campaign. No hard feelings, though: Jackson later signed another deal with Pepsi, this time for $10 million. The then 25-year-old Jackson was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The 25-year-old entertainer was singing his hit "Billie Jean" for a Pepsi Cola commercial in Los Angeles when the special effects went wrong. In this Jan. 27, 1984 file photo, singer Michael Jackson looks out from an ambulance as he arrives at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City, after suffering second-degree burns on his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial, according to officials. When footage of the incident emerged following Jackson's death in 2009, however, not everyone was convinced that the moment in question was the direct cause of the drug dependency that would eventually kill him. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. 1984: Michael Jackson burned in Pepsi ad Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident. During the filming of a commercial, Jacksons hair and face caught fire, leaving him with second and third degree burns. Jackson died June 25 at the age of 50, apparently of cardiac arrest. More than 50 fans were waiting outside the facility, and some of them broke into tears as Jackson was wheeled into the emergency room. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.Over a four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 'Overtaken', Michael Jacksons Neverland Ranch sells for $78M below asking price, Riley Keough: How Michael Jackson had impact on Elvis's granddaughter, Michael Jackson's revenge on Eminem after 'demeaning' video. "It will take a few weeks to determine the hair loss.". Coleman said he did not believe the accident spurred the singer to begin abusing drugs, but a decade after the fire Jackson, himself, said it did. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Expand. Jackson -Romie Wilson Neisler age 81 died at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital on Saturday morning January 3 2004. Speaking to ABC News,Jackson's close friend Miko Brando claimed: "Yes, it was an accident. Investigators removed several prescription drugs from Jackson's rented Holmby Hills mansion after his death, including the powerful sedative propfol, commonly used in operating rooms. "Within two weeks of the fire, Michael was back on his feet and in good spirits," Jay Coleman, the agent who repped Jackson when he cut the deal with Pepsi, told ABC News.com. They had a son and daughter together then divorced in 1999. Days after the disaster, Michaels good friend Miko Brando confirmed what Michael later wrote in his 1988 autobiography, Moon Walk, that he was told to wait by Giraldi and noted that other aspects of the disastrous take were different than previous times. The circumstances of his death are directly related to some of these misfortunes. Jackson settled the case out of court with an estimated $20m payment to the Chandler family. What happened if we would have known what was going to be done, the communications were good until that point. "As far as Michael Jackson was concerned, 27 January 1984 was the beginning of the end," Richards and Langthorne write, referring to the day Jackson suffered third-degree burns on his scalp . There was a deviation in the plan and there was no communication between the people that deviated that plan and the fire safety officers. For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and . One which made headlines at the time and which has stuck in the collective memory Jackson's terrible accident in January 1984, when the King of Pop was on stage in Los Angeles performing a version of his hit single "Billie Jean," which was being filmed as part of a Pepsi commercial. "The flames shot extremely high," Bennett said. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Backup dancer Daryl Maze, who also can be seen in the raw footage coming to Jackson's aid said others saw Jackson's hair catch fire before the singer knew what had happened. It was just supposed to be a routine commercial shoot:Michael Jackson, just 25 years old, was the biggest star in the world, his 1982Thrilleralbum having logged the better part of a year at #1. Donester said he felt the biggest error the day of the accident was communication. "He had the IV stuff back then," Schaffel previously told ABC News. Around 35 million copies of his albums were sold within the first 12 months after his death. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Jackson . You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Brando appears on the never-been-released footage of the Pepsi accident, obtained by Us Weekly, rushing to Jackson's aid several seconds after the pyrotechnics were fired and engulfed the singer. Suddenly I felt my hands reflexively go to my head in an attempt to smother the flames.". This isnt a man who should have died.. After the accident, Jackson often wore a black wig in public. [INFO]Is Michael Jackson the best selling artist of all time? But in 1984, his hair and scalp caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, causing the celebrity to have permanent hair loss. Just two years later, they announced an unprecedented $15 million advertising deal. "Michael is quite shocked. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. You can unsubscribe at any time. He's fortunate that there were no injuries to his face," Dr. Steve Hoefflin told reporters at the time of the accident. When Michael Jackson emerges from the pile of people trying to help him, the top of his head is bald. A senior law enforcement official confirmed to ABC News that Jackson was "heavily addicted" to the painkiller Demerol and received "daily doses" of OxyContin. However, tragedy struck in 1984 during a $5 million deal with Pepsi to work on a promotional campaign. She added, "LA investigators asked us not to share any information about any substance food, drink, or otherwise that Jackson may have taken. Seal Beach police seeking hit-and-run driver in crash that injured . During the sixth take, some pyrotechnics went off bigger than expected, launching embers into Jacksons hair and face, leaving his head engulfed in flame. "We have not addressed the use of Diprivan," Sevcik said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Michael Jackson's hair accidentally catching fire. How Michael Jackson's Pill Addiction Began. On January 27, 1984, Michael and his brothers were doing just that. On January 27, 1984, Michael and his brothers were doing just that. Elvis bedroom: Graceland upstairs SECRETS shared by Linda Thompson, Elvis Presley final years pictures shared by Linda Thompson, Michael Jackson suffered second and third degree burns during a commercial, Michael Jackson suffered the burns during filming, Elvis Presleys 86th birthday celebrated by Linda Thompson, Michael Jackson was at his most famous during the 1980s, Elvis and Priscilla: Sex games, role play, threesomes and polaroids, One Direction: Niall Horan announces he is writing 'lots' of music. What was burning on Michael was almost like a candle effect where fumes were burning and not the hair. People on the set tackle him to extinguish the fire, and his brother Jermaine Jackson, playing the guitar in front of him and oblivious to the commotion, turns around. Jacksons doctor at the time, Steven Hoefflin, commented that the star was noted to be quite shaken up with palm-sized area of second-degree and small area of third-degree burns. "Dr. Klein has been and is continuing to cooperate with Mr. Winter's office and their investigation into the death of Michael Jackson," Boyer said. But there are still innumerable stories about the great Michael Jackson 's life and history that keep coming to light after his untimely passing. "Something went wrong and it exploded and Michael's hair caught on fire," said Jackson spokesmen John Branca. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. "He handled it extremely well," she said. Plastic surgeon Steven Hoeffin said Jackson, who was voted America's entertainer of the year, could need surgery to his head. One member of the audience, Virginia Watson, witnessed the accident. The detectives also described the strange items found in Jackson's bedroom, which included a child's doll, needles, a noticeboard with young children on, and a number of bizarre post-it notes. During this time, Jackson was at the peak of his career. Michael Jackson's 1984 pyrotechnics accident. The coroner would not name the other doctors who his office has subpoenaed. The harrowing, never-before-seen footage of the singer's 1984 Pepsi commercial accident. It has been widely reported that in addition to Demerol and OxyContin, Jackson also abused the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the antidepressant Zoloft in the months before his death. Yes, the doctors gave him medicine.". July 16, 2009 -- As the horrifying newly released images of Michael Jackson's head engulfed in flames during a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot get replayed on television and . He caused a media stir months later, when he dangled the baby off the third floor balcony of a Berlin Hotel in an effort to show the child off to fans. The singer's "Thriller" album topped the charts last year, placing an unprecedented six singles including "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" in the top 10 and spawning a spectacular video. He had become hooked on the drugs after a being burned in a 1984 accident. He suffered hair loss as a result, and later became addicted to prescription painkillers after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his scalp.